Criticism from Political Circles Continues Over Reversal of Decision
Park Ji-hyun: "Non-consensual Sexual Intercourse Is Rape"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the 27th, criticism from the political circle continued after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family withdrew its position on introducing the 'non-consensual rape crime,' which would punish sexual intercourse without consent as rape.
On the morning of the 26th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the 3rd Basic Plan for Gender Equality Policy (2023?2027) and stated that, together with the Ministry of Justice, it would consider revising the elements of rape under the Criminal Act from 'violence or intimidation' to 'consent' to introduce the crime of non-consensual sexual intercourse. However, when the Ministry of Justice strongly opposed this in the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family sent a text message to the press corps 9 hours later, reversing the announcement.
In response, Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker who proposed the non-consensual rape crime bill as the first bill in the National Assembly in 2020, pointed out on Facebook, "Now that this system has become an international standard, it is dangerous to talk about its introduction in the Republic of Korea," adding, "Because of the fantasy that introducing the non-consensual rape crime will increase 'kkotbaem' (female con artists who falsely accuse men) ruining innocent men's lives."
She continued, "I am the main proposer of this 'non-consensual rape crime' bill," and said, "The old criminal law, which only recognizes rape if the victim is severely beaten, is now tiresome." Lawmaker Ryu added, "We should focus on the violation of sexual self-determination rights when the relationship is forced without consent."
She then declared, addressing former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, who expressed critical views on the non-consensual rape crime, "From today, I will also diligently study your 'kkotbaem theory,'" and "Let's open the discussion without any sacred cows." When Lee mentioned "What? Non-consensual rape?" on Facebook the previous day, Ryu responded an hour later with "Wow! Non-consensual rape!"
On the same day, Park Ji-hyun, former emergency committee chairperson of the Democratic Party who exposed the 'Telegram Nth Room case,' also pointed out on Facebook, "If sexual intercourse without consent is not rape, then what else is rape?" She added, "Countless women suffer without even expressing refusal due to the superior's position of power or because they feel actual threats. In some cases, like the first trial verdict of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung in 2018, the perpetrator was acquitted."
She said, "Changing the elements of rape to focus on consent is common sense and a global trend," and added, "No matter how much the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is sidelined in the current administration, is it reasonable to reverse the plan for legal amendment like turning over a bear's paw in less than a day? I hope the provision on the non-consensual rape crime is enforced to the end."
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