"Dismissal of Male Voices" vs "Issues Led by Women": Political Sphere Debates 'Abortion Law Controversy'

Public Hearing on Abortion Law Repeal on the 8th
Kim Nam-guk: "Want to Understand Male Awareness... A Matter to Decide Together"
Justice Party Criticizes as "Ridiculous Remarks Trampling on Women's Lives"

Kim Nam-guk, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The political controversy surrounding the so-called 'Abortion Law Amendment' is expanding into a gender conflict between men and women. The conflict arose when Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "I want to know men's perception of (the abortion law)," regarding the bill to allow abortion under certain conditions, prompting the Justice Party to immediately express regret, calling it "an absurd remark that tramples on women's lives."

The conflict between Kim and the Justice Party began at a public hearing on the abolition of the abortion law held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 8th. On that day, Kim said, "I want to know men's perception of (the abortion law)," "Is there any perspective or evaluation from men in their 20s and 30s on the abortion law?" and "(Abortion law) is an issue that men should decide together, and men should also feel serious responsibility."

In response, Cho Hyemin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, targeted Kim's remarks in a statement that day, calling them "an absurd remark that tramples on women's lives" and criticized, "The discussions at today's public hearing did not reflect the reality of women."

She then urged, "If you want to fulfill your political responsibility, please take the lead in the full abolition of the abortion law even now."

Regarding this criticism, Kim explained on his Facebook on the 9th, saying, "The intention of the person who asked the question was completely distorted," and clarified, "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."

The public hearing on the revision of the 'Abortion Crime' by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee was held at the National Assembly on the 8th. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 10th, Kim posted again, saying, "Surely the Justice Party believes that only women bear responsibility for abortion?" and criticized, "I cannot understand the Justice Party's statement that men cannot even have questions or opinions about the abortion law."

In the post, Kim also quoted a speech by the late Justice Party lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan, saying, "On the 'Bus No. 6411' mentioned by Justice Party lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan, there were both women and men on board."

In that speech, Roh said, "Every dawn, housewives take Bus No. 6411 to go to office buildings in Gangnam where workers are, but they live as 'invisible people' earning 850,000 won a month." By referring to this speech, Kim seemed to argue that the socially invisible vulnerable include not only women but also men.

As the political controversy triggered by the abortion law deepens, public opinion is divided. Some support Kim's stance that "men can also voice opinions on the abortion law," while others counter that "the abortion law applies to women and is an issue where women are the main subjects."

Some netizens on Kim's Facebook expressed support, saying, "Kim is right. To ignore men's voices on social issues is some kind of bias," "The Justice Party's excessive feminism seems to have resulted in a biased statement," and "If this is not misogyny, then what is?"

Participants hold up placards at a rally calling for the complete abolition of the abortion law, hosted by the "Abolish Abortion Law into History TF Team" of the university feminist union club "Everyone's Feminism," held in front of Sinchon U-Plex in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 15th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, some criticized Kim's claims as "missing the point." One netizen said, "Men can have opinions on abortion, but abortion is ultimately an issue where women are the main subjects," and questioned, "Why should men's perception be focused on in a bill targeting women?"

Another netizen pointed out, "The current abortion law punishes only women," and argued, "The claim that men's opinions should be reflected in amending a law that punishes women is simply groundless."

Spokesperson Cho also raised her voice in criticism targeting Kim in a post on her Facebook that day. She said, "Pretending to be a victim without a single word of apology for one's actions is no different from perpetrators who have inflicted violence on countless women claiming 'I am also a victim,'" and criticized, "It is a brazen attitude that avoids the core issue and shows no sign of remorse."

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