Kim Nam-guk "What is men's perception of abortion law?" Justice Party "A disgraceful remark trampling on women"

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, last October. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 8th, Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by saying "I want to know men's awareness" during a public hearing on the amendment to the criminal law related to abortion. The Justice Party immediately expressed regret, calling it "an absurd remark that trampled on women's lives."

At the public hearing that day, ruling party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and experts exchanged opinions on the amendment related to the abortion law. The government submitted a bill to the National Assembly that allows abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy and permits abortion up to 24 weeks in cases of genetic disorders, sexual crimes, or social and economic reasons.

During the discussion of the amendment, Representative Kim asked Kim Jeong-hye, a research fellow at the Korean Women's Development Institute, "I want to know men's awareness of the bill," and "Is there a perspective or evaluation from men in their 20s and 30s regarding the abortion law?"

In response, Research Fellow Kim appeared taken aback and asked, "Men's awareness?" then answered, "I think men in their 20s and 30s also agree that maintaining the abortion law is inappropriate." Then Representative Kim asked Research Fellow Kim, "Is that the mainstream perspective or evaluation?" and Research Fellow Kim replied, "Yes."

Following Kim's remarks, the Justice Party issued an immediate statement that afternoon expressing regret. Justice Party spokesperson Jo Hyemin criticized, calling it "an absurd remark that trampled on women's lives," and said, "There were only two speakers who properly reflected the opinions of women demanding the complete decriminalization of abortion, and the discussions at the public hearing did not represent women's realities."

Spokesperson Jo added, "This should be discussed as a matter of women's rights and safety," and urged, "At this moment, to the parties and politicians standing idly by, and to President Moon Jae-in: The abortion law is the state leading in treating women as criminals," calling for the abolition of the abortion law.

As the controversy spread, Representative Kim rebutted on his Facebook, saying, "The question was intended to convey that men should also feel joint responsibility for abortion."

Kim expressed "strong regret over the Justice Party's statement," saying, "They completely distorted the intent of the questioner. How is this different from the Chosun Ilbo?"

He further emphasized, "I asked for men's evaluation of the government's bill on the premise that abortion is an issue men should share responsibility for," and "I meant that the abortion issue is something men should decide together on and that men should also feel serious responsibility."

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