Choo Mi-ae: "The Problem Is Male-Exclusive 'Radicalization of Feminism'... Opposing Dogmatic and Hateful Feminist Phenomena"

"Feminism Is Not Limited to Women Themselves... Sometimes Adopts a Hostile and Aggressive Attitude Toward Men"
'Exclusive Feminism Phenomenon' Turns Even Those Who Could Achieve Gender Equality Together Into Enemies in Reality

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former Minister of Justice and ruling party presidential candidate Chu Mi-ae rebutted criticism of being "anti-feminist," which was pointed out to her the previous day, saying, "What I am concerned about is the male-exclusive 'extremism of feminism.'

On the 29th, former Minister Chu wrote on Facebook, "What is the intention behind trying to label me as anti-feminist while ignoring the context of my words?" She added, "I have never understood feminism as female supremacy. I did not say 'feminism is women being treated like flowers,' but explained that 'women are claiming fair opportunities without discrimination, not special favors.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the YouTube broadcast 'Sisa Tapa TV,' former Minister Chu said, "It is more desirable not to keep saying that women protect women's rights, but to say let's treat men and women equally because men feel uncomfortable. Therefore, a world where 'femi'(nism) is not necessary should be created." She also said, "If women want to be treated like flowers, women will always be nothing more than decorations."

In response to these remarks, Sim Sang-jung, a member of the Justice Party, criticized, "Feminism is not female supremacy. The lives of all women in the Republic of Korea are feminism, and opposing all gender discrimination is feminism." Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, also pointed out, "This is a severe distortion of feminism," adding, "It is a demand for structural change for equal opportunities, not a voice asking for special favors."

Regarding this, former Minister Chu said, "Feminism, which is translated as 'women's movement,' brings considerable misunderstanding, but feminism is not limited to women themselves," adding, "Because of this misunderstanding, some take a hostile and aggressive stance toward men. I cannot agree with this."

Former Minister Chu criticized, "I oppose the 'feminism phenomenon' that is misunderstood as dogmatic and hateful," and said, "Original feminism is not like this. The worrying 'exclusive feminism phenomenon' in some quarters is turning even those who would unite to realize gender equality into enemies."

She continued, "I have no intention of engaging in any fruitless and exhausting debate over this (feminism debate), nor is there any reason to do so, so I will not continue this debate here," and summarized, "If we solve more overwhelming issues such as economic inequality, the collapse of education, the ongoing war state on the Korean Peninsula, and environmental destruction, the various challenges feminism is currently concerned with may also find solutions."

Finally, she concluded, "I hope our politics can develop through a more fundamental discussion on the essence of 'progressive politics,'" adding, "I believe true feminism can only fulfill its original role properly when gender, economic inequality, and ecology are united and meet progressive politics."

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