“I'm a Man Before Being Right-Wing” vs “I'm Not an Edae-nam”… Now Even Male-Male Conflicts Emerge

Conflict Escalates Over Feminism-Related Political Remarks
Expert: "Basic Coexistence Principles Must Be Established"

On the 9th, the male feminist group 'Haengdonghaneun Botong Namjadeul' held a press conference. They have started activities opposing the image of conservative and anti-feminist 20-something men. Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Jang Mo (30), an office worker, recently had a severe argument with a friend he had known for 15 years due to differing opinions. The friend, who holds conservative views, said he would vote for Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, because Yoon is riding the "feminism coin," rather than Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. Jang said, "Before being right-wing, I am a man, so I oppose feminism." He sighed, saying, "It was unfortunate that he was trapped in a male-centered way of thinking."

Amid controversies in the political sphere regarding feminism, such as the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, conflicts are also intensifying among men in their 20s (Idaenam). Male feminists who oppose the existing image of Idaenam as anti-feminist and conservative have also started group activities, and confrontations between different camps are expected to continue.

In January, candidate Yoon announced a pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and on the 7th, his remark that "there is no structural gender discrimination" became a hot topic. Men in their 20s showed mixed reactions to this.

Park Mo (22), a student at Sogang University, responded strongly, saying, "Feminism is a special interest group," and "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should be abolished because of the shutdown policy, and structural discrimination does not exist unless we are still in the Joseon Dynasty."

On the other hand, some men opposed the existing Idaenam frame. Jeong Mo (25), a senior at Yonsei University, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "(Yoon's remarks) are nothing but parroting what the anti-feminist camp says." Baek Mo (29), an office worker, argued, "Yoon Seok-yeol himself referring to Kim Geon-hee as 'my wife' is evidence that structural gender discrimination exists."

Recently, a group rejecting the Idaenam image, called "Ordinary Men in Action," began activities starting with a press conference. They claim that the political sphere imposes the Idaenam frame on men in their 20s, promoting hatred and discrimination.

Byun Hyun-jun (21), active in the group, stated the reason for his involvement: "As a male feminist, I thought we need to talk with men in their 20s and change things."

Experts say this election is using unprecedented gender conflicts for political purposes. Professor Lee Byung-hoon of Chung-Ang University's Department of Sociology said, "Our society tends to see only oneself as right and others as wrong, fostering hostility, so everyone must have the basics of coexistence."

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