A Sharp Remark to Na Kyung-won and Cho Eun-hee: "Be Sure to Receive Women's Bonus Points"... "Most Glass Ceilings Have No Cracks"

Na Kyung-won, Liberty Korea Party member Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Kim Sook-hyang, head of the People Power Party's Central Women's Committee, urged former lawmaker Na Kyung-won and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee, who have announced their candidacies for the Seoul mayoral by-election, to "not give up on the women's bonus points and make sure to receive them." She also advised former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, who is running in the Busan mayoral primary, to "accept the bonus points."

On the 30th, Kim posted on her Facebook, "I urge you not to give up on the women's bonus points and to make sure to receive them," adding, "The women's bonus points are not given to individual female candidates but are intended to consider women and socially disadvantaged groups."

Kim stated, "In the preliminary primary, female candidates receive a 20% bonus, and in the main primary, a 10% bonus is given," adding, "I understand that these bonus points were decided after much discussion because they set a precedent. Since women have enjoyed vested rights in this election, it is not something to casually say 'let's not receive them and give more to newcomers next time."

She continued, "Candidate Cho Eun-hee's statement about 'giving up the bonus points' may sound admirable at first, but when thinking about female party members, female political newcomers, and those still facing disadvantages in society, it is not a statement that can be made lightly," raising her voice, "Although your personal glass ceiling may have been broken, the vast majority of glass ceilings still have no cracks."

She added, "Please remember that the women's bonus points that female candidates give up represent 20% and 10% of someone who can be protected as a vulnerable person in various parts of society," urging, "I ask you to approach the primary process with humility beyond confidence."

Jo Eun-hee, Seocho District Mayor

Earlier, on the 29th, Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee said to former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who is running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, "Let's give up the women's bonus points together," adding, "We are now vested interests in the eyes of young women. If we give up the bonus points and compete based on ability, we will have the justification to say that more women's bonus points should be given to female juniors later."

The People Power Party grants a 20% women's bonus in the preliminary primary and a 10% bonus in the main primary. This means that if the same number of votes is received, the female candidate wins. Former lawmaker Na has stepped back, saying in media interviews that it is a "systemic issue" and not a matter for individuals to decide.

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