The Barely Proposed 'Anti-Discrimination Law'... Democratic Party and United Party, Respond

Sim Sang-jung: "Basic Law of Democracy... Democratic Party Should Take Action"
Bae Jin-kyo: "United Party Should Not Turn a Blind Eye"
20th National Assembly, Unable to Even Propose Bills

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Anti-Discrimination Act has barely met the requirements for proposal, passing the first legislative hurdle. The core of the Anti-Discrimination Act is that no one should be discriminated against based on gender, disability, country of origin, race, sexual orientation, and so on. A total of 10 lawmakers participated in the bill proposal, including six members from the Justice Party, Democratic Party members Kwon In-sook and Lee Dong-joo, Open Democratic Party member Kang Min-jung, and Basic Income Party member Yong Hye-in.

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 29th, stating, “After tearful efforts, it is meaningful that the Justice Party is proposing the Anti-Discrimination Act, a fundamental law of democracy,” and “I earnestly urge the Democratic Party to take responsible action in legislating the Anti-Discrimination Act, which 88% of the people desire.” Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young emphasized, “The comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act is a law that can demonstrate the raison d'?tre of the 21st National Assembly,” adding, “It started during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and was a campaign pledge of President Moon Jae-in; now is the golden time to enact the Anti-Discrimination Act.”

Bae Jin-kyo, floor leader of the Justice Party, addressed the United Future Party, saying, “After the death of George Floyd, the freshman lawmakers of the United Future Party heard the phrase ‘oppose all discrimination.’ However, I also know they hesitate regarding ‘sexual orientation,’” and added, “There is no ‘later’ for sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Politics must not turn a blind eye to someone’s desperate today.”

The Anti-Discrimination Act was consecutively proposed in the 17th to 19th National Assemblies but was not processed due to opposition from religious groups, particularly concerning the gender identity section. Especially in the 19th National Assembly, then Saenuri Party lawmaker Kim Han-gil pushed for the Anti-Discrimination Act but withdrew the bill voluntarily after fierce protests from conservative Christian groups. In the 20th National Assembly, leader Sim led the effort but failed to propose the bill as no co-sponsors outside the Justice Party were found.

First-term lawmakers of the United Future Party, including Assemblywoman Han Mu-kyung, are holding a silent protest against all discrimination on the 10th at the National Assembly Rotunda. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Earlier, freshman lawmakers of the United Future Party held a moment of silence protest mourning George Floyd, a Black man who lost his life due to excessive police force in the U.S., stating “oppose all discrimination.” United Future Party lawmakers Kim Ye-ji, Kim Yong-pan, Yoon Joo-kyung, Lee Young, Lee Jong-sung, Jeon Ju-hye, Jo Tae-yong, Han Mu-kyung, and Heo Eun-ah jointly issued a statement at the National Assembly Rotunda on the 10th, declaring, “We deeply engrave George Floyd’s warning in our hearts and oppose not only racial discrimination but also gender discrimination, disability discrimination, religious discrimination, regional discrimination, and all forms of discrimination.” However, they faced public criticism for showing a lukewarm attitude toward the Anti-Discrimination Act itself.

There was also criticism within the United Future Party. Jung Won-seok, a United Future Party emergency committee member, said at a freshman lawmakers’ study meeting on the 24th, “The difference between our George Floyd and the American George Floyd is that we followed the form,” and questioned, “The George Floyd incident falls under the Anti-Discrimination Act, but the United Future Party does not acknowledge some parts of the Anti-Discrimination Act; can it have any appeal?”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.