"Contempt for Workers and Elitism Are Evident"
Kwon Youngguk, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, criticized on May 30 that no one has the right to demean the lives of female workers, in response to comments made by writer Yoo Simin about Seol Nanyeong, the spouse of presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, which he described as discriminatory against labor, women, and education.
In a statement released that day, Kwon said, "The new society that the voices in the square longed for last winter is not one in which a woman is considered to have attained a certain position through marriage or therefore cannot criticize her husband," adding, "This is not a criticism of Ms. Seol, but a disparagement of women in general and a misogynistic remark."
Kwon stated, "Yoo's remarks reveal contempt for workers and an elitist attitude," and continued, "It is clear that he views workers as ignorant and inferior beings. This, too, is not merely a criticism of Ms. Seol, but inevitably becomes mockery of workers in general."
Kwon added, "The labor rights in our society today have been won through the struggles of those who could not attend college, women, and workers," and continued, "In contrast, elite men from Seoul National University should reflect on how they have damaged society. I urge Yoo Simin to sincerely apologize for his inappropriate remarks."
Previously, on the May 28 episode of the YouTube show <Kim Eo-jun's Dasboeida>, Yoo Simin commented about Ms. Seol, saying, "She may feel elevated through her marriage to Kim Moonsoo, who is a university graduate," and, "The position of being the spouse of a major party's presidential candidate is not a place she could have reached in her own life."
Yoo continued, "Ms. Seol was the head of the labor union at Sejin Electronics, an electronic parts company, and Kim Moonsoo was the head of a union under the Hanil Doruko Metal Federation," adding, "So, Kim Moonsoo was a 'hakchul' worker, a laborer with a university background, who married a 'real worker.'"
Yoo said, "Can't you guess what their relationship is like? From Ms. Seol's perspective, Kim Moonsoo is an outstanding person, so much so that there was never a real balance between them." He continued, "She may feel that she is somewhat elevated through marriage to a man like him, and under these circumstances, it is difficult for her to view her husband critically."
Yoo further stated, "Her husband was in and out of prison, and she supported him, struggled as the family of a detainee, lived a harsh life, and then became the wife of a National Assembly member. She would look up to her husband even more," and added, "Now he has become a presidential candidate. She is in a position she was never meant to handle." He concluded, "This person is now floating above the ground. While we think the chances of becoming First Lady are zero, she does not see it that way. She could become the First Lady. In short, she is out of her mind."
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