"Women Reporters Not Raising Hands?" Question Raised... Kwon In-sook Calls It a Small but Precious Message

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook evaluated President Moon Jae-in's effort to find a "female reporter" before receiving the last question at the press conference following the Korea-US summit as a "meaningful effort."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] On the 24th, Kwon Insook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated President Moon Jae-in's act of seeking a "female reporter" as the last questioner during the Korea-US summit press conference as a "meaningful effort."

Kwon, a former women's rights activist and currently the ruling party's secretary on the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee, wrote on her Facebook that "It is fundamental for a ruler to strive for diversity in any setting," adding, "Being conscious of the male-centered social order and making efforts to give women the right to speak was a small but very precious message."

Referring to a media outlet that reported President Moon's remarks, Kwon also pointed out, "Stop inciting social conflicts and fostering confrontations between generations or political camps."

She further expressed, "Above all, I deeply regret the media's behavior of bringing up sexism and gender conflicts whenever 'women' are mentioned," adding, "Many countries are making efforts to secure diversity in their cabinets, and in the private sector, diversity committees are being established and the ratio of female directors is being increased, showing considerable efforts."

Earlier, on the 21st (local time), during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden, President Moon looked at the Korean press corps and asked, "Why don't female reporters raise their hands?" When there was no response from the reporters, President Moon asked again, "Are there no female reporters in Korea?"

Since President Biden had pointed out two American female reporters, it is interpreted that President Moon also intended to give speaking opportunities to female reporters from Korea. However, some pointed out that openly favoring women could be perceived as sexism.

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