Yoon, who said "No structural gender discrimination," states "Sexual crimes should not be approached through gender equality"

Criticized for Saying 'No Structural Gender Discrimination,' Clarifies After Two Days
"Sex Crimes Cannot Be Properly Addressed if Approached as Gender Equality Issues"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is answering questions at the 'Cheer Up Taxi! Communication Day' policy meeting held on the afternoon of the 8th at the Transportation Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated regarding sex crimes, "They should be viewed as issues between the perpetrator and the victim, and investigated strictly while supporting the victim," adding, "If approached as a gender equality issue, it cannot be properly addressed." This is interpreted as meaning that sex crimes should not be approached as a structural gender discrimination issue between men and women.

On the 10th, after the New Year's meeting of the Jeonbuk Provincial Association in Seoul, Yoon responded to reporters' questions that "Candidate Yoon said gender discrimination is a personal issue, while President Moon Jae-in said practical equality should be achieved in each field."

Yoon further added, "Rather than approaching any issue as a collective gender equality problem, it is important to resolve practical and individual inequalities and tackle crimes."

Earlier, on the 7th, Yoon sparked controversy by stating in an interview with Hankook Ilbo that "there is no structural gender discrimination." When asked if his pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) was intended to divide people, he replied, "Discrimination is a personal issue," and said, "The idea that women are treated unequally and men are given superior treatment is an old story."

Other presidential candidates immediately criticized this. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, wrote on his Facebook, calling it a "regrettable and dangerous remark," and pointed out, "Yoon Seok-yeol’s own pledge includes 'fair gender equality.' If there were no structural gender discrimination, such a pledge would be unnecessary."

He continued, "Solving problems begins with a correct understanding of reality. Without facing reality, there is no way proper solutions will emerge."

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, also said, "Please leave the imaginary realm and look at reality," questioning, "According to Candidate Yoon’s claim, is the fact that women make up only 19% of National Assembly members and only 4.8% of executives in the top 100 companies solely a matter of individual women’s abilities?"

She added, "If you want to become president, you should at least consider and respond to such questions," and said, "I hope this is not just mimicking the belief of Lee Jun-seok (People Power Party leader) that all of this is because individual women are at fault or lack ability, just to gain votes."

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