A Local Councilor Who "Reflected for 3 and a Half Years" Uses an Award from a Women's Group as a 'Ramen Stand'

Hong Jun-yeon, Daegu Jung-gu Council Member, Used Awarded Ramen Bowl as Coaster
"Mocked, Insulted, and Publicly Shamed a Politician"
Opposed 2019 Proposal for Support Funds for Sex Workers' Self-Reliance
Received 'Gender Equality Obstacle Award' for Derogatory Remarks About Sex Workers

Hong Jun-yeon, a member of the People Power Party representing Daegu Jung-gu, eating ramen using the Gender Equality Obstacle Award as a stand / Photo by Hong Jun-yeon, captured from Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A district council member is expected to cause controversy after revealing that he used a 'certificate' received from a women's organization as a ramen bowl coaster. This council member had previously received the 'Gender Equality Obstacle Award' from a women's group after continuously opposing Daegu City's policy to support the self-sufficiency of sex workers in the local red-light district called 'Jagalmadang.'

Hong Jun-yeon, a member of the People Power Party and Daegu Jung-gu Council, posted a message titled 'Ramen Coaster' on his Facebook page on the 8th, the day before the 20th presidential election.

In the post, Councilman Hong began by saying, "It has been exactly three years since I received the Gender Equality Obstacle Award from a women's organization, the vanguard of the feminist president. They collectively mocked, insulted, and verbally attacked a single politician, yet they proudly held their heads high and acted like occupying forces."

He continued, "The madness of riding on feminist power. Now that the March 9 election is over, politics that align with the people's sense of fairness, common sense, and justice must be realized." He added, "For the politics where the hopes and dreams of young people come true, I stood with candidate Yoon Seok-yeol and Representative Lee Jun-seok."

He also said, "After finishing the election campaign and eating ramen, looking at the Gender Equality Obstacle Award certificate stained with soup used as a ramen coaster, I reflected on the three years of bitter struggle and perseverance." He concluded, "I pray that shining glory will be with candidate Yoon and Representative Lee, who did their best for a better tomorrow for the Republic of Korea. Please make sure to vote in the main election tomorrow."

At the end of the post, Councilman Hong left the phrase, "This post is my democracy."

Ramen broth-stained business card / Photo by Hong Jun-yeon Facebook capture

Along with the post, Councilman Hong also shared a photo of a ramen bowl placed on top of the certificate. The certificate, stained with soup, shows the phrase 'Gender Equality Obstacle Award.'

This certificate was awarded to Councilman Hong in March 2019 by the '26th Daegu Women's Festival Organizing Committee commemorating International Women's Day on March 8,' which included the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Women's Organizations Federation. The committee awarded the 'Gender Equality Stepping Stone Award' to those who contributed to gender equality in Korea and the 'Gender Equality Obstacle Award' to those who were obstacles. At that time, Councilman Hong was selected as a recipient of the Gender Equality Obstacle Award.

The committee cited reasons for awarding the certificate to Councilman Hong, including his harsh remarks toward women in Daegu's sex work district 'Jagalmadang' and his distortion of policies aimed at closing Jagalmadang by quoting statements from sex work brokers.

Councilman Hong had also repeatedly expressed opposition and criticism toward ordinances that provided self-sufficiency support funds to some sex worker women in Daegu.

On December 20, 2018, at the 4th plenary session of the 2nd regular meeting of the Daegu Jung-gu Council, he argued against the ordinance to provide self-sufficiency support funds to sex workers in the Daegu sex work district 'Jagal Market,' saying, "As the saying goes, old habits die hard. Is there any certainty that those who easily earned money will not return to sex work after receiving 20 million won?"

At that time, Councilman Hong was a member of the Democratic Party. However, after controversy arose over these remarks, the Democratic Party expelled him. Subsequently, in 2020, Councilman Hong applied for nomination from the Future Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party).

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