Regarding Questions on Sexual Violence Cases of Ahn Hee-jung and Park Won-soon... Lee: "I Am Very Sensitive to Violations of Others' Human Rights"

"Feminism and Feminists, Each Interpreting Differently"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is delivering the keynote speech at the 'Scientists Ask, Lee Jae-myung Answers' - a science and technology policy discussion hosted by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies, held on the 19th at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 19th regarding the power-related sexual crime cases involving the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, and Ahn Hee-jung, former Governor of Chungnam Province, "I am very sensitive to violations of others' human rights."

On the same day, Lee appeared on the YouTube channel 'Dotface,' which mainly deals with gender and women's issues, and said, "When I was the mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, I often told my staff not to use the words 'female' or 'woman,' or expressions like 'because she is a woman' or 'since she is a woman,' and I made efforts to avoid such language."

Regarding power-related sexual crime cases involving politicians, he said, "I did not have the fear that (someone around me) might have felt that way. Because such things really did not happen to me," but added, "I was very concerned about the possibility of being subject to distortion or attacks." He also added, "There was a post claiming 'sexual harassment' when I was the mayor of Seongnam."

When asked why feminism and feminists, despite their significant achievements, are disparaged, Lee said, "The scope that feminism and feminists cover is broad, but since they are used as single words, each person interprets them differently."

He continued, "There was a time when 'labor' was equated with 'communist.' However, there is also the belief that labor is sacred, so both aspects coexist," adding, "Gender inequality remains an important social issue that needs to be improved."

He also said, "From the perspective of the younger generation, opportunities have greatly diminished, and everyone is in a difficult situation," and added, "It is most unfortunate that conflicts occur among people who are all struggling." In response to the criticism, "Youth issues are similar for both Idaenam (men in their 20s) and Idaenyeo (women in their 20s), so why is there such a fuss over the term Idaenam?" he replied, "I am also at a loss with Idaenyeo."

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