"2030 Namseongdeul, Yeoseongdeul Jibhoe Mani Nawa"... Controversy Over University Professor's Remarks Finally

"Want to Let People Know Many Women Are Coming"
"Outdated, Vulgar Joke" Netizens Criticize
"Sincerely Apologize... Sending Support and Encouragement"

Professor Park Guyong of the Department of Philosophy at Chonnam National University mentioned the rally calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation. YouTube channel 'Maebul Show'

Amid the martial law situation, a rally calling for the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol was held, during which Park Gu-yong, a professor of philosophy at Chonnam National University, sparked controversy by saying, "I want to let the men know that many women are coming out to the rally."

Professor Park appeared on the live broadcast of the podcast 'Maebul Show' on the 8th and referred to the large-scale rally held the previous day in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. It was reported that as of 4:30 PM, the police estimated 100,000 people gathered, while the organizers estimated 1 million attendees. A vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon was held at the National Assembly, but most members of the People Power Party left without participating in the vote, causing the motion to fail due to a lack of the required quorum (200 members).

He said, "I went to the rally yesterday and felt two things," adding, "First, I thought people would be angry and sad, but they had bright expressions and were very excited. I was really surprised." He continued, "Second, when I looked closely at some point, the main age group of participants was women in their 20s and 30s. I was shocked," and said, "I want to let men in their 20s and 30s know that many women are coming out to the rally." When the host pointed out that this was an inappropriate remark for a philosophy professor, Park smiled and said, "How philosophical it is that many women are coming to the rally."

Professor Park Guyong apologized for his remarks related to the rally. YouTube channel 'Maebulshow'

Afterwards, viewers who watched the broadcast criticized his remarks, saying things like, "Young women participating in the protest are raising their voices as democratic citizens, not as a lure for men," "Why should women be expressed as a means to encourage participation?" and "I was offended by the outdated and low-quality joke."

In response to the controversy, Professor Park apologized through comments, saying, "I sincerely apologize for my remarks on today's broadcast," and explained, "I was using sarcasm to point out that men in their 20s and 30s were not visible at the rally and hoped they would appear at the protest site even if they had to follow the awakened women, but I caused hurt." He added, "I ask for forgiveness for the problematic parts and send support and encouragement to the courageous women who turned the protest into a festival."

Meanwhile, Professor Park graduated from the Department of Philosophy at Chonnam National University and the University of W?rzburg's Department of Philosophy. He has served as the deputy director of the Academic Affairs Office at Chonnam National University, head of the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Division at the National Research Foundation of Korea, and chairman of the planning committee of the May 18 Memorial Foundation.