At Dongduk Women's University Protest, Lee Jun-seok Criticizes as "Uncivilized"... Jang Hye-young Responds, "Compared to Hongmaehwa?"

Lee Jun-seok Criticized for Repeatedly Taking Stands on Gender Issues
Opposition Accused of Trying to Divert Public Attention

Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, has been expressing his stance on gender issues daily, including criticizing the protest against the transition to coeducation at Dongduk Women's University as "uncivilized." Amid this, some have criticized the move as an attempt to divert public attention after it was revealed that Myung Tae-kyun, a key figure suspected of interfering in the nomination process involving President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife, had been in contact with Lee. In particular, the opposition pointed out that the so-called 'Chilbulsa meeting,' where Lee allegedly sought the nomination of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun in exchange for exposing Kim Kun-hee's interference in nominations, was even more uncivilized.

Earlier on the 14th, Representative Lee criticized on his social media service (SNS), "Using ordinary citizens who ride Line 4 as hostages to enforce one's will is uncivilized, just as the violent incident at Dongduk Women's University threatened other students' right to education and safety. Such actions cannot be considered legitimate protest methods," adding, "It is simply uncivilized." Lee Jun-seok Facebook

On the 14th, Lee stated on his social media (SNS), "Just as it is uncivilized to hold ordinary citizens hostage on Line 4 to enforce one's will, acts threatening other students' right to education and safety during the violent incident at Dongduk Women's University cannot be considered legitimate protest methods," adding, "It is simply uncivilized." This was a criticism of the Dongduk Women's University students who, since the 11th, have opposed the discussion on transitioning to coeducation by occupying school buildings and refusing classes as part of collective action.

On the 15th, Lee also rebutted claims that he opposed the deepfake punishment law, saying, "I opposed the entrapment investigation law. Those radical feminists who say I opposed the deepfake punishment law will be thoroughly dealt with this time without exception." Amid this, criticism has arisen that Lee's stance on gender issues is an attempt to overcome political difficulties through hate speech.

On September 23rd, Taegyun Myung posted on his SNS a photo of Assemblyman Cheon digging in the yard of Chilbulsa Temple to plant a red plum blossom, while Assemblyman Lee watched, along with the caption "The reason Lee Jun-seok and Cheon Ha-ram were digging at Chilbulsa." Taegyun Myung Facebook

Former Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young criticized on the 16th via SNS, "If uncivilized means Lee Jun-seok," adding, "If you ask passersby whether the students' protest against the sudden coeducation transition at the women's university is uncivilized or whether the Chilbulsa Hongmaehwa is uncivilized, they will tell you." She continued, "At least the Dongduk Women's University students are standing firmly and directly against the school's wrong decision, unlike some who are planting Hongmaehwa," and criticized, "As the top contributor to Yoon Seok-yeol's election, knowing all about President Yoon's issues but not uttering a word during his tenure as party leader, then belatedly getting cornered and meddling in nominations while throwing uncivilized accusations at women is disgraceful."

Former lawmaker Jang also asked, "What is the official stance of the Reform New Party regarding the allegations that their prominent politician Lee Jun-seok, during his time as People Power Party leader, was involved in all sorts of old-fashioned politics in collusion with Myung Tae-kyun, Kim Kun-hee, and President Yoon Seok-yeol?" The 'Chilbulsa Hongmaehwa' mentioned by Jang refers to the suspicion that Lee, former lawmaker Kim Young-sun, and Myung attempted to trade nominations ahead of the last general election. Earlier, on September 23, Myung posted on his SNS a photo with the caption "The reason Lee Jun-seok and Chun Ha-ram dug at Chilbulsa," showing lawmaker Chun digging to plant Hongmaehwa in the Chilbulsa courtyard while Lee watched. The photo also revealed the time and GPS location as "4:03 AM, March 1, 2024, Chilbulsa, Hwage-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam."