Jihyun Park: "Lee Jae-myung Silent on Sindang Station Incident, Is There Anything More Important Than People's Livelihood?"

"Lee, Who Spoke First During the Presidential Election, Difficult to Understand His Silence"

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Former Emergency Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, defined the Sindang Station incident, where a female station attendant in her 20s was murdered, as a "misogynistic crime" and criticized party leader Lee Jae-myung, saying, "I cannot understand his silence on this issue."

On the 19th, Park posted on her Facebook, "If it were candidate Lee Jae-myung during the presidential election, he would have spoken about this incident before anyone else."

She seemed to target Lee's recent emphasis on daily livelihood issues, saying, "Is this incident a matter of political strife? Or is it a matter that invites personal attacks? It is livelihood itself," and pointed out, "Is there any livelihood more important than preventing women from losing their lives to hate crimes?" She then demanded, "I hope the Democratic Party and Leader Lee take a more active stance for a gender-equal society where women are respected as equal individuals to men."

Park also criticized Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook for saying that the Sindang Station incident was "not a misogynistic crime." She said, "Minister Kim said she does not see the Sindang Station incident as a misogynistic crime. That is wrong," emphasizing, "It is a misogynistic murder born from a distorted male culture and sexist consciousness that thinks 'If she likes you, you might follow her around a bit.' It is a murder based on misogyny that views women not as equal individuals but as accessories subordinate to men."

She added, "To say that only incidents like the Gangnam Station case, which harm unknown and unspecified women, are misogyny is a narrow interpretation," and raised her voice, "If women who have experienced stalking are trembling in fear, saying 'I too could become a victim at any time,' then what else could this be but a misogynistic crime? Proper diagnosis of the cause is necessary to find solutions."

She also addressed President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "If you feel even a little responsibility for the Sindang Station incident, you must immediately abandon your pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which is responsible for preventing sexual crimes and protective measures. You should immediately dismiss the minister appointed to abolish the ministry and appoint a new minister to strengthen its functions."

Park also criticized the political sphere, saying, "The People Power Party, which uses hatred and discrimination as tools to maintain political power, and the Democratic Party's leniency, which tried to hide sexual crimes committed by their own members, are accomplices," and asked, "Will the National Assembly again show only fleeting interest and then forget?"

She particularly pointed out Leader Lee Jae-myung, saying, "There has been no visit to the crime scene, no schedule to console the victim's family, nor any sign of demanding strong legislation."

Lee has shown some reluctance to speak about the Sindang Station incident. Since the incident occurred on the 14th, he has neither visited the site nor issued any public messages. Some interpret this as Lee, who is embroiled in judicial risks, being reluctant to attract attention with another controversy such as gender issues.

However, on the 19th, five days after the incident, Lee ordered strict disciplinary action against Seoul City Council member Lee Sang-hoon of the Democratic Party for making inappropriate remarks related to the incident and announced party-level measures to prevent recurrence. Still, there has been no direct mention or action from Lee regarding the incident.

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