Human Rights Commission Rules Lee Jun-seok's Remarks as Hate Speech, Ha Tae-gyeong Asks, "Is Criticizing Feminism Hate Speech?"

Human Rights Commission Points Out Lee Jun-seok's Remarks in 'Hate Response' Booklet
Lee Jun-seok and Ha Tae-gyeong Protest "Hate Stigma"

Ha Tae-kyung, member of the People Power Party./Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Regarding the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) defining the remarks of Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, as misogynistic expressions, Ha Tae-kyung, a lawmaker from the same party, reacted by saying, "This is a country where criticizing feminism becomes hate speech."

On the 4th, Ha posted on Facebook, "Is the NHRCK the authority to license hate?" and criticized, "Lee Jun-seok was labeled as hateful by the NHRCK for criticizing feminism. There is no explanation of what exactly is hateful, and it seems like they are saying 'because he opposed it, it's hate.'"

He added, "What is more frustrating is that the NHRCK's standards for hate vary depending on the case," and claimed, "For example, when the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family launched a massive hate campaign labeling men as 'potential perpetrators,' the NHRCK remained silent."

He continued, "In this topsy-turvy reality where what is not hate becomes hate and what is hate is not considered hate, does the NHRCK feel no sense of guilt?" and said, "The 'hate stigma' that forces their own morality and ethics, thinking the public are fools, is the main culprit creating a divided society."

He then demanded, "The NHRCK has no authority to label reasonable debates as hate speech," and urged, "I hope they apologize immediately and abolish the relevant guidelines."

A booklet titled 'Responding to Hate and Discrimination' available at the National Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Yonhap News

Earlier, the NHRCK cited Lee's remarks in a booklet titled 'Responding to Hate and Discrimination,' published in November last year, as an example of hate speech, stating, "Misogyny or discrimination is an unfounded sense of victimhood derived from delusional novels and movies." The NHRCK also classified remarks and comments by several politicians, including former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan and People Power Party lawmaker Lee Chae-ik, as hate speech.

Regarding this, Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook on the 2nd, "I was accused by the NHRCK of misogyny for pointing out the words of Kim Ji-young, born in 1982, who said, 'The reason she does not want to walk is because women are in an unsafe walking environment.' They slap hate speech labels anywhere and create untouchable subjects."

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