Yoon's Public Release of 'Seven Characters' After Joining Hands with Lee Jun-seok Sparks Intense Gender Debate

After an intense standoff, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, reached a sudden reconciliation and are seen holding hands at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the evening of the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Ahead of the 20th presidential election, gender issues among candidates have become a hot topic. Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, proposed the 'abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family,' while Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, countered with 'strengthening the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.'

On the 7th, Yoon posted the seven words 'abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family' on his Facebook page without adding any other comments.

There is an interpretation that Yoon, following advice from Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, has begun to actively target the votes of 'Itaedam' (men in their 20s). It is reported that Lee Jun-seok burst out laughing upon seeing Yoon's Facebook post that day.

Previously, before being selected as the presidential candidate last October, Yoon had pledged to reorganize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family for Equal Opportunities. However, on this day, he reversed his previous pledge to call for the 'abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.'

The impact of these seven words was significant. Within five hours of the post being uploaded, it received over 5,000 comments, most of which appeared to be supportive messages from young men.

Ahead of the 20th presidential election, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, proposed the "abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," while Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, countered with "strengthening the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family."
[Photo by Facebook capture]

A member of the campaign headquarters explained, "Yoon decided to adopt the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family a few days ago, judging that the public sentiment supporting the party desires it more."

In response, on the same day, Sim posted on her Facebook page the phrase 'strengthening the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.' This was interpreted as a parody of Yoon's Facebook post aimed at appealing to female voters in their 20s and 30s.

Notably, while Yoon posted his message on a sky-blue background, Sim posted the phrase on a purple background symbolizing gender equality.

Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, shared Sim's stance. Kang criticized Yoon's post, saying, "Are you answering the practice questions given by Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party? Or are you writing a reflection letter to male-dominated communities? It's quite pathetic for a presidential candidate."

Meanwhile, some voices criticized the candidates for excessively fueling gender conflicts.

Kwon In-sook, a victim of the Bucheon Police Station sexual harassment case and the Democratic Party's secretary of the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee, criticized, "(Yoon) is blatantly inciting gender conflict," adding, "The lazy thinking of dividing sides by gender to regain support among men in their 20s is tiresome and pathetic."

On internet cafes led by Democratic Party supporters, critical posts appeared, such as "After recruiting Shin Ji-ye, former head of the Korean Women's Political Network, is this now an anti-feminism move?" and "What about the women?"

However, the Democratic Party has not issued an official stance on Yoon's pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

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