They helped oust a president - now South Korean women say they are invisible again
On the night of 3 December, Amid the fervor of a video game, Byunghui became aware of then-president Yoon Suk Yeol's alarming declaration of martial law. The chaotic scenes broadcasted—soldiers breaking down National Assembly windows and lawmakers in desperate attempts to vote against the measure—spurred an immediate outcry. Young women rallied swiftly, irate not solely at the president’s authoritarian stance, but also as a rebuttal to his claim that South Korea was free from sexism, a staggering falsehood in the face of entrenched gender discrimination.
Byunghui, along with thousands of others, journeyed from Daegu to Seoul, driven by a desire for change and an end to Yoon's exploitation of power. Each week, they filled the streets, chanting not only for Yoon’s removal but also against the pervasive notion that women’s rights were a non-issue in their society. They celebrated the eventual impeachment of Yoon, yet as a new presidential election looms on 3 June, many women feel their voices are once again silenced.
Candidates from the two leading parties seem disinterested in addressing women’s equality, a contentious topic that had initially helped Yoon secure the presidency by aligning with sentiment of young men feeling marginalized within a perceived feminist framework. A third candidate, notable for his vehemently anti-feminist stance, has gained traction, representing a daunting new reality for women.
The enthusiasm witnessed in December protests, where K-pop anthems united women, fades into disillusionment. Today, Byunghui, remembering the spirit of solidarity, questions the permanence of that unity. Research findings from Chosun Daily highlight that younger women represented the majority demographic at protests, fueling hope for progress against the backdrop of systemic injustice. Many were spurred into action by the normalization of sexual violence, harassment, and a staggering 31% gender pay gap.
“Frustration erupted within many of us,” said Kim Saeyeon, echoing the sentiments of countless others. “This was a time for our frustrations to surface.” Yet, as the elections arise, their contributions appear overlooked.
Amidst the protests faith swaged; they faced backlash from men, fueled by Yoon's rhetoric that pitched women as "man-haters" and the proponents of feministic policies as detrimental to male interests. Political discourse has devolved, reducing fair gender representation to yet another polarizing front.
Young men who once sympathized with women’s plight now find their concerns exaggerated as reverse discrimination narratives take hold. Yoon’s presidency saw departments supporting women's needs shrivel, as he argued against the existence of systemic gender bias.
As electoral campaigns unfold, the absence of female candidates and initiatives focused on equality is further igniting the dissatisfaction of women. With no women among the presidential hopefuls, the contrast with previous elections is stark. Political candidates now cautiously sidestep issues around gender, with leading figures like Lee Jae-myung initially resisting calls to address women's structural discrimination.
As many young women express discontent, they worry their resilience and commitment during protests has, paradoxically, led them further from political representation. Lee's reversal in advocating gender issues appears tactfully designed to attract a wider voter base, spurred by a narrow electoral loss the previous election.
The ruling party’s platform does little to address the deep-seated inequalities hindering women’s socio-economic position, choosing instead to focus on family funding schemes. From Yoon's reign until now, no tangible progress on gender equality is noted, leaving women disappointed and fearful of severe backlash against gains made.
The rise of candidates with anti-feminist rhetoric has left many worried for the future. Lee Jun-seok, a prominent figure amongst young men, has garnered criticism for his incendiary remarks about misogyny during a debate, heightening fears of a political shift that could regress women’s rights.
“Young women will not be silenced,” asserts Byunghui, emphasizing the persistence of their fight to dismantle systemic barriers. The determination persists among many young women, realizing that their participation in democracy is crucial to ensuring that the hard-earned rights are not merely pieced together, but are completed in full parity.
