[Relay Interview②] Ryu Ho-jeong: "The Reason I Fought Is the Same for Democracy"

Interview with Lawmakers Co-sponsoring the Anti-Discrimination Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Ryu Hojung, a member of the Justice Party, said that among the prohibited items in the Anti-Discrimination Act, gender, employment, and age are the main focus.

Ryu said, "Democracy begins with recognizing each other's different opinions, rights, existence, and dignity," and added, "The Anti-Discrimination Act is the same reason we have fought for the democracy we enjoy like air." The following is a Q&A with Representative Ryu.

Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party member./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

- Why is the Anti-Discrimination Act necessary?

= The existence of the Anti-Discrimination Act in our society has become something taken for granted at some point. It is a necessary law for the vulnerable, who have fewer means to protect themselves, to become a shield for each other. Before coming to the National Assembly, I once had a meeting because I shared feminist-related posts while working at a company. During training as a new employee, we were told to assign 'men as class presidents and women as vice presidents' for reporting. I wasn’t particularly interested in being a class president, but knowing the maximum number was already set made me unnecessarily upset. Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are issues anyone working in a workplace can experience.

- What aspects did you focus on when co-proposing the bill?

= I already mentioned gender, but age and employment type are also important. Regarding age, there can be vague discrimination against the younger generation. Many view younger people with a patronizing attitude, seeing them as recipients of charity and support. There needs to be recognition that they are independent, autonomous individuals who build and live in society together. Another important aspect is employment type. It is common sense that equal work should receive equal treatment, but in reality, this is not the case due to differences in employment type. This is an issue that requires not only the Anti-Discrimination Act but also follow-up legislation.

- What changes will occur once it is passed?

= I want to introduce a concept called the "Gay Index." It is an indicator that quantifies how friendly a region is to gay people, scoring from minus 16 to 10. This index reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of a region and society. One place with a high Gay Index is Silicon Valley. While we cannot be completely certain that increased inclusiveness and diversity directly lead to industrial innovation or economic development, it is a highly suggestive indicator. Simply put, when people receive recognition for their existence and feel secure, human creativity becomes boundless. I believe that just starting a socially productive discussion about the Anti-Discrimination Act can change the atmosphere.

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