[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized Kim Ki-hyun, a leading candidate for the People Power Party leadership, for promoting women's civil defense education, using expressions such as "a ploy to boost approval ratings" and "a lowly claim to divide the people and incite conflict."
On the 25th, Democratic Party spokesperson Lim Oh-kyung commented on Kim's announcement to propose the 'Civil Defense Basic Act,' saying, "How far are you trying to drive South Korea into division and conflict?" She pointed out, "President Yoon Seok-yeol shook national security with his remarks on nuclear armament and willingness to escalate conflicts, and now the person aiming to become the ruling party leader is trying to divide men and women with populist pledges targeting male voters in their 20s and 30s."
Spokesperson Lim also criticized Kim's advocacy for women's civil defense education and his call for social discussion on women's military service obligations, asking, "Is women's military service obligation really a national security pledge?" She added, "It only appears to be a ploy to use national security issues as a political tool to raise his approval ratings."
She said, "South Korea is being divided into two by President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'divide-and-rule politics' and 'my side politics,'" and added, "It is pathetic that the person who wants to become the ruling party leader is going to divide the people again into men and women."
Regarding the mention of national security in relation to the necessity of introducing women's civil defense, she said, "Are you saying the security situation is so serious that we should worry about a war or a similar emergency?" She condemned, "Do not exaggerate the security situation for political purposes. It is outrageous that someone who says such irresponsible things wants to become the ruling party leader responsible for the safety and lives of the people."
Senior Democratic Party spokesperson Ahn Ho-young also pointed out, "It seems that Kim made such claims to gain an advantage in the party leadership race, but in the end, it looks like he is using gender conflict for internal party elections."
On the 23rd, Kim Ki-hyun explained on social media regarding his promise to propose the Civil Defense Basic Act, "Some say this policy was made to capture the votes of ‘Idaenam’ (men in their 20s), but that is not true," and clarified, "It is not a topic that the political world has avoided due to electoral concerns." He argued, "Our country is still in a ceasefire state. As if to prove that the war is not over, North Korea continues missile and drone provocations and nuclear war threats daily," and added, "Military basic education for women provides the minimum knowledge to protect women's safety in wartime, and by itself, it will serve as a kind of deterrent against North Korea."
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