Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon, Feminism as Cause of Low Birthrate? Complete Ignorance of Women and Youth"

Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province and a preliminary presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing real estate policies at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung sharply criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party who cited feminism as a cause of low birth rates, saying, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon's diagnosis and perception of reality are quite worrisome."

On the 4th, Lee posted on his Facebook, criticizing, "He once again revealed complete ignorance about the realities faced by women and youth."

He said, "'Gender equality' is considered an important value in low birth rate policies because creating a gender-equal environment where women do not have to give up work due to childbirth and childcare is very important," adding, "That is why the 4th Basic Plan for Low Birthrate and Aging Society prioritizes 'realization of gender equality.'"

He continued, "The reason our society's birth rate is at its lowest point now is not because women's awareness of gender equality is high, but because the overall level of gender equality in society does not support it."

He argued, "The role of the political sphere should be to alleviate gender discrimination in the labor market, improve the level of gender equality within families, and expand support for childbirth and childcare."

He added, "At the very least, presidential candidates should respect the rights of young people to choose and live their own lives instead of blaming the causes of low birth rates on irrelevant factors. That is basic decency and the minimum courtesy."

Presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, who recently joined the People Power Party, visited Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader, and the Supreme Council members at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd, delivering a greeting.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 2nd, former Prosecutor General Yoon said at a lecture invited by the People Power Party's first-term lawmakers' meeting 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative' held at the National Assembly, "Feminism should be healthy feminism and should not be exploited to gain electoral advantage or extend power."

He continued, "There are also talks that feminism is politically exploited to the extent that it emotionally blocks healthy relationships between men and women, and socially, the conditions for having and raising children are very poor. Giving childbirth incentives alone will not solve the problem," he claimed.