[Report] "We Can No Longer Lose Women" Why 'Ojingeo Game', Soldiers, Nurses, and Mothers Gathered at Gangnam Station

UN 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women' Flashmob
"Violence Against Women is a National, Political, Social, and Cultural Issue"
Various Costumes Including 'Ojingeo Game' Characters, Soldiers, Nurses... "To Represent All Women"

On the 25th, citizens gathered to mark the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women performed a flash mob to the music. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "The rapist is you! The rapist is you! The accomplices are the police, the courts, the state, and politics!"

At Exit 11 of Gangnam Station in Seoul, bustling with crowds, a group of citizens blindfolded with black cloth loudly shouted slogans at 7 p.m. Women of various ages, from teenagers to those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, stood in formation, shouting "The rapist is you" while simultaneously pointing forward with their index fingers.

This was a flash mob organized by the Seoul Women's Association and its special branch, the Feminist University Student Union Club (Seopedaeyeon), held on the 25th to mark the United Nations (UN) designated "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women."

◆ "Let's Eliminate Violence Against Women" - The 'Angry Cry' That Began in Chile Spreads Worldwide

On October 25, 2019, the angry cries of women that began in Chile resonated beyond borders and spread worldwide. This flash mob, based on the performance piece "Un violador en tu camino" ("A Rapist in Your Path") created by the Chilean women's group Lastesis, was held in over 100 cities around the world, including the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Brazil.

Two years later, the same scene was reenacted at Gangnam Station on this day. The organizers stated, "Today is the UN-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, but the reality for women in the Republic of Korea remains unsafe," and pointed out, "Violence against women is a problem of society, culture, and the state that tolerates it."

They went on to mention recent cases of violence against women, including the Air Force sexual assault case, illegal filming in schools, and sexual violence on university campuses, questioning, "Forty years after the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was first established, has society become safe for women?"

For those who took to the streets to call for the elimination of violence against women, Gangnam Station holds special significance. Since a woman was murdered in a karaoke room restroom near Gangnam Station in May 2016, a memorial space has been created near Exit 10 of Gangnam Station to honor the victim. They also held a memorial event for the 5th anniversary of the Gangnam Station murder in May this year.

The organizers said, "After experiencing the Gangnam Station murder case, we gathered at Gangnam Station to shout out to change a world where women are victims of violence simply because they are women," and added, "Now, once again, we must gather at Gangnam Station to speak out about the violence we endure with our voices and fight violence against women with our actions."

Chilean Women Performing Protest Against Violence Toward Women
[Photo by Yonhap News]

◆ Various Outfits Including Military Uniforms, School Uniforms, and Nurse Uniforms "Representing All Women... Women's Clothing Cannot Be a Reason for Violence"

Participants in the flash mob stood out wearing various outfits such as military uniforms, school uniforms, and nurse uniforms. Some wore tracksuits from the Netflix original series "Squid Game," and one participant carried a baby doll wrapped in a traditional baby carrier. The organizers explained that these symbolized recent cases of violence against women, including the Air Force sexual assault case and sexual violence in schools and workplaces.

Choi Ji-soo, an operator of the Seoul Women's Association, said, "Through various outfits, we wanted to express that violence against women is a story that concerns all women," and explained, "Sexual violence victims are often asked questions like 'What were you wearing?' or 'What were you doing?' in an attempt to find fault with the victim. We conveyed the message that regardless of clothing or behavior, sexual violence is the perpetrator's fault."

On this day, Choi wore a pink apron and rubber gloves symbolizing a cook, while Lee Hae-eun, a member of the Seoul Women's Association, wore work clothes representing industrial laborers.

After the flash mob, speeches followed. Kang Na-yeon, an operator of Seopedaeyeon, suggested a moment of silence for female victims who recently died in dating homicide cases before speaking.

After the moment of silence, Kang accused that misogyny is occurring at her university and said, "Violence against women happens routinely to everyone. We can no longer afford to lose even one woman, so we are performing, shouting slogans, and protesting here," urging, "To passersby and everyone here, please fight together for a world without violence against women."

A bystander, Ms. A, who had been watching for a long time before the flash mob began, also spoke. She revealed her own experience as a sexual violence victim and firmly stated, "There must be no more victims like me." When asked by reporters about her thoughts after speaking, she said, "I was passing by on my way to a nearby academy and saw the flash mob. I thought it was an important issue, so I decided to participate in the speech."

Another participant said, "I hope politicians, including the president and presidential candidates, show their will to eradicate violence against women," and targeted the political sphere by adding, "They need to show active actions beyond just will."

Citizens are watching the remarks of the participants following the flash mob. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

B, who identified as a special school teacher, learned about the flash mob through social media and decided to participate. He said, "I think cases of violence against women are not properly resolved, and women's voices are being erased in politics. I feel frustrated and angry about this reality," and pointed out, "Violence against women is definitely happening in reality, but many people treat it as if it were imaginary. We need to face reality."

Jeong Mo, a woman in her 20s passing by, said, "It's true that there are many cases of violence against women," and added, "As a woman, I have often felt fear, and I sympathize with the purpose of the flash mob."

Meanwhile, the government has been operating the "Violence Against Women Elimination Week," which integrates the Sexual Violence Elimination Week and Domestic Violence Elimination Week, since the enforcement of the Basic Act on the Prevention of Violence Against Women in 2019. This year marks the second year of the Violence Against Women Elimination Week, which runs for a week starting today under the theme "Our Attention Protects a Daily Life Without Violence Against Women."

In this regard, President Moon Jae-in posted on his Facebook on the same day, saying, "It pains me that there are still women who fall victim to violence," and promised, "We will continue to improve the system." He emphasized, "The lives of women and men are interconnected. Women's safety is society's safety."