Received calls for resignation from Democratic Party lawmakers over misogyny
"Lee administration is being called a 'government of convicts'"
Appointing another convict is out of the question
Kim Kihyun, a member of the People Power Party, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Tak Hyunmin's appointment to a National Assembly position. He argued that Tak, who in the past has faced calls to resign from female Democratic Party lawmakers due to his problematic views on sexuality?such as making statements that appeared to encourage prostitution and denigrate women?should not be allowed to hold any public office, even if it is an unpaid position.
On June 16, Kim Kihyun wrote on his Facebook page, "Tak Hyunmin, Moon Jaein's man, is said to be returning. Recently, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik reportedly appointed Tak Hyunmin, former Blue House protocol secretary, as an event planning advisor for the National Assembly. This is a highly inappropriate choice and the appointment should be withdrawn," he began.
Kim pointed out that in 2010, Tak Hyunmin sparked controversy with his book "Power to Imagination," in which he praised Seoul's nightlife culture and used language that seemed to encourage prostitution. He also referenced Tak's book "The More You Speak, the Freer You Become," in which Tak openly displayed a distorted sexual consciousness by describing women as tools for satisfying male sexual desire. Kim noted that, because of this, even female lawmakers from the then-ruling Democratic Party had called for Tak's resignation, highlighting his fundamentally misogynistic views.
He continued, "Appointing someone with such blatantly misogynistic and inappropriate views, even to an unpaid position, by creating a new official post in the National Assembly, which represents the people, is an extremely improper action. The Speaker of the National Assembly should not attempt to exonerate someone who has caused women deep humiliation through misogynistic and explicit sexual remarks, nor manage his public office credentials."
Kim also referenced a past presidential debate, noting that former Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok had pointed out that President Lee Jaemyung's eldest son had used explicit language referring to women's body parts on an online community.
Kim Kihyun stated, "Currently, there is a move to expel a presidential candidate from the National Assembly simply for quoting the incumbent president's son's misogynistic remarks during a televised debate. Despite this, the Democratic Party and Speaker Woo Wonsik remain silent on the appointment of Tak Hyunmin?who could be considered the original source of such misogynistic language?which many citizens see as yet another example of their double standards regarding gender sensitivity."
In conclusion, Kim said, "Tak Hyunmin's perverse perspective, which undermines decency and dignity, is not only completely at odds with social norms but also constitutes a clear disqualification from public office. He even has a prior conviction for violating the law. With the Lee Jaemyung administration already being labeled a 'government of convicts,' it is absurd to appoint yet another convict to a sacred National Assembly post. The appointment of Tak Hyunmin to a National Assembly position must be immediately withdrawn."
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