[W Frontier] Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, "My Mentor is the Late Honorary Professor Lee Ihyojae"

The Reason for Elite Women's Calling
Constantly Reminded Us

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, named the late Professor Emerita Lee Ihyojae of Ewha Womans University, who passed away last year, as the person she respects the most. Professor Emerita Lee Ihyojae was a pioneer who paved the way for women's studies and the women's movement in Korea. There is a saying that "there is not a single woman living today who is not indebted to Lee Ihyojae." She said, "She was a mentor during my school days who inspired us and encouraged us to study hard," adding, "At that time, only a very small number of elite women in Korea were enrolled in universities, especially prestigious ones, and she constantly made us think about what kind of calling we should have."

She expressed a desire to pass on the positive influence that Professor Emerita Lee Ihyojae had to younger generations. Deputy Speaker Kim said, "In a divided country and under an authoritarian regime, there were many people who faced great difficulties, and she was a teacher who always reminded us to have continuous concern and affection for the poor and the weak," adding, "Although I still fall far short, I want to play a role in giving such influence to the young women who are newly growing."

She also urged first-term lawmakers to always remember that it was not only their abilities that brought them to their current positions. This means remembering the many women in the past who dedicated themselves to securing women's representation. Deputy Speaker Kim emphasized, "Unlike male lawmakers, female lawmakers were specially elected with a historical mission for gender equality," and added, "I am the same, and we must not forget that there were a great many people’s sweat and tears to get here."