"Is It Necessary to Have Children to Qualify as First Lady?"... People Power Party Criticizes Lee Jae-myung and Han Jun-ho

Lee Jae-myung, the spouse of the Democratic Party presidential candidate Kim Hye-kyung (left), and Yoon Seok-youl, the spouse of the People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Gun-hee (right). / Photo by Han Junho, Democratic Party lawmaker, Facebook screenshot

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "Are women who cannot have children not qualified to be the First Lady of the Republic of Korea?" The People Power Party has criticized Rep. Han Jun-ho, the chief of staff for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. This backlash comes in response to Rep. Han posting a message that seemed to link the First Lady with childbirth status.

On the 19th, the Next Generation Women's Committee of the People Power Party's Central Women's Committee issued a statement saying, "Rep. Han posted on Facebook under the title 'Kim Hye-kyung, mother of two children VS Kim Geon-hee, mother of Tori,' stating 'The First Lady also represents national dignity.' Following the controversy of calling the victims of former Mayors Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don sexual assault cases 'complainants,' it is truly shocking and appalling that the Democratic Party's perception of gender issues now involves discussing the First Lady's qualifications and national dignity based on childbirth and whether she has children."

They pointed out, "Cowardly politicians who exploit others' wounds have no right to talk about national dignity and should first reflect on their own character and dignity as politicians."

Furthermore, they said, "Chief of Staff Han and candidate Lee have yet to issue any apology or take any action," urging, "We call on candidate Lee to apologize immediately and take responsible measures accordingly."

Kim Yeon-ju, the full-time deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, also criticized in a commentary, "There are families facing infertility or sterility who want children but cannot have them due to various reasons," adding, "It is utterly incomprehensible how not having children is connected to national dignity."

Earlier, Rep. Sung Il-jong of the People Power Party introduced on social media, "Candidate Yoon and Ms. Kim did not choose not to have children." Rep. Sung said, "In the past, Kim Geon-hee was pregnant, and at that time, candidate Yoon Seok-youl was so happy that he said he would carry the baby to work," adding, "However, when the National Intelligence Service comment investigation scandal escalated, Ms. Kim Geon-hee was deeply shocked and had a miscarriage."

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