"Not Trying to Enter Politics?" Lee Soo-jung Joins Opposition Primary Preparation Committee, Faces 'Malicious Comments'

Lee Su-jeong "No Intention to Enter Politics"
"Why Are There No Female Mayors in Our Country?"

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han] Professor Lee Sujeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University expressed her feelings on the 16th about being harassed by pro-government netizens' malicious comments simply because she joined the 'People Power Party By-election Primary Preparation Committee.' She said, "If the content of the malicious comments were reasonable, I would deeply reflect and try to change something, but there are so many unreasonable comments." Previously, Professor Lee was criticized for participating in the same party's 'Special Committee on Sexual Violence Measures.'

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day, Professor Lee said, "I have never experienced malicious comments in my life, but I think I have never received as many malicious comments as in 2020."

Professor Lee said, "They start with absurd personal stories and wildly amplify and reproduce incorrect information. But I can't go to the media and say 'that's wrong' or 'that's not true,' and I don't have a chance to explain. So I just decided to ignore it. Anyway, I'm not going to run for an elected position, and if they get tired of insulting me, they will stop. I have no intention of suing for defamation," she said.

Committee member Lee Soo-jung (professor at Kyonggi University) of the People Power Party's Special Committee on Sexual Violence Countermeasures is conversing with committee member Kim Sam-hwa at the press conference announcing the first bill held on the afternoon of September 23 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding the reason for joining the People Power Party's Primary Preparation Committee, she explained, "In the Sexual Violence Special Committee where I work, I was strongly urged that I was 'needed now (in the Primary Preparation Committee)' as an extension of the opportunity to play a more active role, so I said, 'I will help.'

She continued, "What I do is partly related to women's human rights. It is about filling the position of a local government head who stepped down due to some infringement against women," adding, "Since I am a woman, I vaguely thought it would be good if things went well from a woman's perspective."

She also explained, "Women make up half of the population and half of the voters, so I was curious why there had never been a single woman among mayors and governors," and said, "With that thought, I joined (the Primary Preparation Committee)."

Especially in response to the question, "Do you really have no intention of becoming a politician?" she said, "Absolutely not. I have never imagined myself as a politician," adding, "I have wanted to be a teacher since I was very young, and I believe it is a valuable profession to do until I die. Regardless of salary or authority, I am someone who has a great affection for nurturing students."

Previously, Professor Lee was heavily criticized by supporters of the ruling party for participating in the Special Committee on Sexual Violence Measures. At that time, netizens raised criticism and suspicion, saying, "Isn't she starting a political move?" and questioned whether Professor Lee was engaging in political activities in earnest.

In response to various speculations and criticisms, Professor Lee emphasized in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "This is different from doing politics," and said, "I will not leave the teaching profession." She added, "I think some criticisms interpret sexual violence issues through partisan logic."

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