Hyehun Lee: "As a First-Term Lawmaker, I Was Summoned to a Yojung with Female Hostesses"

"Perceptions of Female Politicians Have Improved, But Limitations Remain"
Calls to End the Appointment of 'Entertainment-Style' Female Ministers

Hyehun Lee, the representative of "Korean Women in Legislative Affairs," a group of current and former female National Assembly members, pointed out that although perspectives on female politicians have changed significantly, there is still much room for improvement.

On September 2, appearing on YTN Radio's "Wise Radio Life," Representative Lee recalled her past experiences as a female lawmaker, saying, "Back in 2004, when I was a first-term Assembly member, there were quite a few occasions where male lawmakers would ask female lawmakers not to speak during party meetings. I myself was told to refrain from speaking."

Lee Hyehoon, Representative of Korean Women in Legislation

Lee was elected in Seocho-gap in the 17th National Assembly election in 2004 as a candidate from the Grand National Party (now associated with the People Power Party), and continued to serve in the same district in the 18th and 20th National Assemblies.

She added, "What was even more important was that major decisions were often made not in official meetings, but informally the night before over drinks or meals. After these decisions were made, the following morning's official meeting was just a formality to make them official." She continued, "There was even a term, so-called 'Yojung politics.' When I first came to the National Assembly in 2004, I was once summoned to a yojung (a type of high-end restaurant with female hostesses). Still, things have gradually improved."

Regarding the current state of female politicians in the National Assembly, Lee said, "Although the number of women has increased to a certain level, there is still a lack of qualitative growth. For women to have greater political influence, more of them need to advance to high-ranking positions such as party leader, floor leader, or policy committee chair, and there need to be more multi-term female lawmakers. In this area, there are still clear limitations."

She also mentioned that solutions to overcoming the limits of extreme factional politics can be found in women's participation in politics. Lee stated, "One reason women have faced a lot of discrimination within organizations is the perception that 'women have weaker organizational loyalty and cohesion.' However, I believe that the tendency not to view the organization as an absolute good can actually serve as a starting point for alleviating extreme factionalism and clique culture."

Regarding the appointment of female ministers in the current administration, she said, "The proportion of female ministers is around 21 percent. It's not the worst, but it's not the best either," adding, "What matters more than numbers is expertise." She emphasized, "Appointing women for their entertainment value rather than their expertise actually harms women's participation in politics."

Lee pointed out, "Among the ministerial nominees in the Lee Jaemyung administration, only two failed to be appointed, and both were women. There are many highly qualified women, so it is frustrating to see entertainment-style candidates being chosen. This is not just an issue with the Lee Jaemyung administration; it has also been common in past administrations."