[Comprehensive] "One Piece is the Work Outfit Loved by Office Workers"... Female Lawmakers Supporting Ryu Ho-jeong

"Let's Change the Authoritarian National Assembly," "Cannot Agree with Excessive Criticism Over Clothing"
Ryu Ho-jeong Dress Controversy, Support Continues from Fellow Female Lawmakers
Ryu Ho-jeong Urges, "Please See Me Working, Not Just the Dress"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a member of the Justice Party, is briefly leaving the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Controversy is brewing as Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, has been subjected to excessive criticism including sexual harassment remarks after attending the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th wearing a red dress. Amid this, fellow female lawmakers are voicing encouragement and solidarity for Ryu.

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, wrote on her Facebook on the 6th, "Yesterday, partly voluntarily and partly involuntarily, while in self-quarantine and online, our party’s lawmaker Ryu had a tough day," adding, "This morning suddenly makes me want to wear a dress."

Sim said, "Dresses are a beloved work outfit for many office workers, and the National Assembly is the workplace of lawmakers," and urged, "Please support lawmakers so they can carry out their legislative activities with their own unique styles. A National Assembly that reflects the diverse appearances of citizens can work better for more people."

She then shared a photo from the European Parliament taken last October. The photo depicted lawmakers engaged in legislative activities wearing various outfits.

Go Min-jung, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on her Facebook on the 5th, "I do not agree with all of Ryu’s thoughts because there are quite a few differences between us," but added, "However, I cannot agree with the excessive criticism she is receiving because of the clothes she wore," criticizing the public backlash against Ryu.

Go expressed solidarity, saying, "Rather, I am grateful that she broke the excessive solemnity and authoritarianism of the National Assembly," and "The National Assembly should be a place where different voices, appearances, and thoughts are allowed."

Yoo Jeong-ju, also from the same party, posted on her Facebook the same day a post titled "The Smelly Debate from 17 Years Ago," saying, "The scene of former lawmaker Yoo Si-min’s arrival at the National Assembly 17 years ago automatically comes to mind. The so-called 'back pants' incident. Nearly 20 years later, the same controversy arises, and the attacks are even more severe, which makes me think a lot."

Yoo pointed out, "The lawmakers’ research group '2040 Youth Cafe' held its inaugural event on the 3rd. During the greeting and preparation for the event, a light-hearted event called 'Attend tomorrow’s plenary session in today’s outfit' was planned," adding, "On that day, Ryu wore a dress, and I wore jeans. Seeing the current controversy, I have a reasonable concern that similar debates might repeat even in 2040."

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, and Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party lawmaker, are attending and conversing at the government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 22nd of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Hye-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also expressed support for Ryu on her Facebook that day, saying, "Everyone lives differently, and the way they dress is different too," and "Today, I feel anew how authoritarian the National Assembly is. Let’s change it."

Lee Jeong-mi, former leader of the Justice Party, said, "What someone wears, what does it matter? It neither is accepted at this level nor does it calm my mind," strongly criticizing, "Is this really a room where people who talk about 'democracy' and 'reform' gather, when they swarm in and spew violent words?"

Lee added, "To think that in the 21st century, one has to live exposed to such crimes just because of wearing a dress," and "I am certainly not pleased with this debate. Honestly, this is when I say I feel disgusted."

Additionally, Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, said, "Lawmakers should be judged by their policies and bills," and urged, "I hope the public evaluates lawmakers based on their activities and bills for which they receive salaries from taxes, rather than their clothes."

She continued, "In fact, the National Assembly is quite a rigid space. When it’s hot walking into the plenary hall, if you take off your jacket inside, staff come and tell you not to remove it. There are no formal rules, but it’s customary," and added, "I think it would be good if the National Assembly, a rigid space, could be transformed into an optimized place for working so that a culture of thorough debate and discussion can be established."

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Ryu said on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,' "I think I wore clothes suitable for working when I went to work," and "I hope there will be more interviews about working appearances beyond just dresses."

Ryu said, "I am handling many issues such as nuclear waste related to public safety, exploitation of Coupang workers, differential voting rights, and non-consensual rape laws," and criticized authoritarianism, saying, "I don’t think the authority of the National Assembly is established by suits. Even among white-collar workers, only some wear suits, and the National Assembly representing citizens should be able to wear any clothes."

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