Controversy Over Jeon Woo-yong's Remark "Can't Find a Male Friend Like Park Won-soon"

Historian Jeon Woo-yong has sparked controversy by posting a message about the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who is accused of sexual harassment, saying, "I don't know if all women will ever be able to meet a 'male friend' like him again." Photo by Jeon Woo-yong (Twitter capture)

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Historian Jeon Woo-yong has sparked controversy by posting a statement about the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, saying, "All women might not be able to find such a 'namjasaramchingu' (male friend) again."

On the 11th, Jeon posted on his Twitter, "I know he committed serious wrongdoings against two women (his wife and daughter). I do not yet know how serious the wrongdoing was against one woman," implying that the facts regarding Mayor Park's sexual harassment allegations have not been confirmed.

He added, "All other women might not be able to find such a 'namjasaramchingu' again," and "It would be impossible to write modern Korean women's history without including Park Won-soon."

Netizens who saw Jeon's remarks criticized him, saying, "Women do not want a male friend who committed sexual crimes," "How can the term 'namjasaramchingu' be used in such a context," and "Should someone who worked for women's rights and safety be forgiven even if they committed sexual harassment?"

As the controversy spread, Jeon explained, "'Namjasaramchingu' was used as a metaphor like 'a friend of the common people,' meaning it would be difficult to see again a lawyer, civic activist, and administrator who worked as hard as Park Won-soon for women's rights and safety."

He added, "It is truly pathetic how reporters are desperately trying to interpret it in a vulgar way."

Earlier, on the 10th, Jeon criticized some political figures who expressed their intention not to attend Mayor Park's condolence, saying, "I understand not wanting to pay respects. I also understand wanting to express political opinions by loudly declaring you won't attend. But it is somewhat pathetic not to distinguish between 'wanting to do something' and 'being allowed to do it.'"

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