"Curious About Men's Perception" Kim Nam-guk's Question on 'Abortion Crime Awareness'... Women and Justice Party Outraged

Kim Nam-guk "Curious About 2030 Male Perception of Abortion Crime"
Justice Party "Violence Faced by Countless Women"
Expert "Kim's Remarks, Questions Detached from Essence... Concern Over Gender Conflict Escalation"

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "I am curious about men's opinions on the issue of abortion laws," "Is there a perspective or evaluation from men in their 20s and 30s regarding abortion laws?"

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk's remarks at a public hearing on the revision of the criminal law related to abortion held on the 8th have sparked controversy. The Justice Party immediately expressed regret, calling it "an absurd remark that tramples on women's lives."

Lawmaker Kim explained, "Unlike in the past, the issue of abortion laws is something that men should decide and take responsibility for together," but some criticized that asking about the "perception of men in their 20s and 30s" at a forum discussing women's right to self-determination regarding abortion was off-topic.

Experts emphasized that the issue of abortion laws should be discussed as a conflict between women's right to self-determination and the fetus's right to life, and it is not a matter to be debated as a confrontation between men and women.

At the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's public hearing on abortion law revision that day, ruling party committee members and experts exchanged opinions on the proposed amendments. The government had announced a draft criminal law amendment allowing abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy and permitting abortion up to 24 weeks in cases of genetic disorders, sexual crimes, or socio-economic reasons.

During the discussion, Lawmaker Kim asked Kim Jeong-hye, a research fellow at the Korean Women's Development Institute, "Abortion was previously considered solely a women's issue in our society, but I think this is a matter where men should decide together and feel serious responsibility. I am curious if there is a perspective or evaluation from men in their 20s and 30s regarding abortion laws."

In response, Research Fellow Kim, seemingly taken aback, asked, "Men's perception?" and then replied, "I think men in their 20s and 30s also agree that maintaining abortion laws is inappropriate." Lawmaker Kim then asked again, "Is that the mainstream perspective or evaluation?"

On the 2nd, in front of the Jongno Police Station in Seoul, a press conference titled "Condemning the Police for Gagging Women's Voices" was held, hosted by the Joint Action for the Abolition of Abortion Crimes for All. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The Justice Party immediately reacted to Lawmaker Kim's remarks. Justice Party spokesperson Jo Hye-min issued a statement that day, saying, "While we understand women's opposing opinions on the abolition of abortion laws, asking 'What do men think?' and making absurd remarks repeatedly," and criticized it as "a remark that tramples on women's lives."

Spokesperson Jo further emphasized, "Abortion laws are the state treating women as criminals," and "(The abortion law issue) should be discussed as a matter of women's rights and safety."

In response to such criticism, Lawmaker Kim posted on his Facebook on the 9th, saying, "The intent of the person who asked the question was completely distorted," and explained, "I asked for men's evaluation of the government's bill on the premise that abortion is an issue men should also take responsibility for."

On the 10th, Lawmaker Kim posted again, stating, "Surely the Justice Party does not believe that only women are responsible for abortion. I cannot understand the Justice Party's statement implying that men cannot have questions or opinions about abortion laws," and countered, "Is using 'misandry' in politics what the Justice Party calls 'justice'?"

Women’s rights activists wearing black clothes, including those from the "Joint Action for the Abolition of Abortion Crime for All," are protesting for the abolition of abortion laws in front of Sejongno Park, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of December 2, 2017. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, despite these explanations, criticism of Lawmaker Kim's remarks continues. It is pointed out that asking for the opinions of men in their 20s and 30s at a forum discussing women's right to self-determination regarding abortion deviates from the core issue.

Office worker Choi (31) said, "Whether to have an abortion is a decision for women to make, so why ask about men's perception on this issue?" and pointed out, "Men may have opinions or responsibilities regarding abortion, but deciding whether to have an abortion is a separate matter."

Another office worker in their 20s, Lee, said, "If, as Lawmaker Kim Nam-guk said, men also have responsibility for abortion, why does the current abortion law punish only women?" and criticized, "The remark itself points out the contradiction in the law."

Spokesperson Jo also raised criticism repeatedly toward Lawmaker Kim on his Facebook on the 10th. He said, "Without a single word of apology for his actions, pretending to be a victim is no different from countless women who have faced violence hearing perpetrators say 'It's not my fault,' 'I am also a victim,'" and condemned, "The core issue is bypassed, and there is not a single line of reflection?just an arrogant attitude."

Experts expressed concern that the abortion law controversy is escalating into a gender conflict. Lawyer Lee Eun-ui said, "The abortion law issue deals with the conflict between women's right to self-determination and the fetus's right to life," and pointed out, "Therefore, asking 'Have you gathered opinions from men in their 20s and 30s?' is a question far removed from the essence of the abortion law controversy."

He continued, "The reason women ultimately have abortions is due to difficulties related to pregnancy and childbirth, which is ultimately a concern about the fetus," and emphasized, "The fetus's right to life should be addressed from medical and legal perspectives concerning the fetus itself, not as a gender conflict, so it is not an issue to be inflamed as a gender dispute."

Lawyer Lee expressed regret, saying, "It distorts the essence of the matter and may unnecessarily incite gender conflict," and "As a legal expert, I feel there was insufficient serious preparation for this discussion."

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