Park Ji-hyun "Even in the Sindang Station incident, politics only 'pretends'... A protection system for stalking victims is needed"

Political Circles Silent on Sindang Station Incident
Lack of Effort Amid Perception It’s a 'Women’s Issue'
Calls for Practical Measures Like Stalking Victim Protection Law

Former Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Committee Park Ji-hyun is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 20th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] "Our politics is politics that only pretends to act. It only moves a little when problems occur, or when people die."

Park Ji-hyun, former co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed to the political sphere as the primary issue in an interview with Asia Economy on the 20th regarding the recent 'Sindang Station stalking murder case.' She said, "The Stalking Punishment Act (Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, etc.) was enacted on October 21 last year, but since then, eight people have died. It means nothing has been done during that time," adding, "Because this case has become a big issue again, only now is the political sphere showing signs of trying to do something."

Former Chair Park lamented, "Our politics only moves a little after people die. It should take even half a step ahead so that our citizens can live in an environment without danger, but it is failing to do so."

She then criticized the courts, prosecution, and police for effectively neglecting the case, saying, "They are not putting effort into actually resolving the issue." She added, "After the 'Telegram Nth Room' case, I saw an article that only 10 people were added to the digital sex crime task force," and said, "The prosecution does not apply for arrest warrants, the courts dismiss them, and they do not consider it their responsibility."

On the 19th, former Chair Park also urged Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, to take an interest in the matter. She said, "It was very frustrating to see the leader of the main opposition party not properly answering questions despite a national disaster occurring," and criticized, "There is a difference between the leader speaking directly and the spokesperson or supreme council members speaking. If it were during the presidential election, he would have been the first to raise his voice about this case, but now he is not, which is very regrettable and looks cowardly."

She continued, "Female lawmakers are raising their voices about the Sindang Station case, but almost no male lawmakers are speaking out," and lamented, "This case is not a gender issue but a very serious social problem occurring in our society. Yet, under the perception that it is a 'women's (only) issue,' they do not try to raise their voices or even make efforts, which shows how far we still have to go."

Former Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Committee Park Ji-hyun visited the memorial space set up at the entrance of the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where the "Station Attendant Stalking Murder Incident" occurred on the 16th, and left a condolence message.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

She viewed the Sindang Station case as a comprehensive manifestation of the male-centered mindset in our society, noting that some even sympathize with the perpetrator rather than the victim. She said, "Our society empathizes with men. Despite the victim suffering extreme pain and being murdered due to stalking and threats, it is regrettable that people put the victim and perpetrator on the same level, talking about how the perpetrator's parents must feel or how hard he studied even though he went to a technical high school." She added, "There is a regret that such perceptions are more widely sympathized with and accepted by those in power," and said, "I believe these perceptions ultimately keep producing such incidents."

Former Chair Park defined the essence of this case as a 'misogynistic crime.' However, she emphasized the urgent need for practical countermeasures beyond just defining it as such. She said, "'I like you, so you should like me too. If not, I can kill you.' This is a value coming from a very wrong male culture and the belief that I am superior to you." Nevertheless, she said, "Instead of fighting over whether it is misogyny or not, it is more productive to discuss how to respond going forward."

She stressed the need to establish a more comprehensive legal system to prevent stalking incidents from occurring in our society. She said, "Regarding the Stalking Punishment Act, a separate Stalking Victim Protection Act should be created," emphasizing, "A comprehensive and systematic system is needed to ensure the safety of victims."

She also mentioned improvements to the victim protection system. She said, "When I was active with 'Chujokdan Bulkkot' (Tracking Team Fireworks), I was given a smartwatch and received personal protection for three months," adding, "Compared to a regular watch, it was heavy, big, and uncomfortable, but still, it gave me reassurance that I was being protected." She continued, "However, the victim in this murder case had personal protection end after just one month," and said, "Discussions on how to address these inadequate blind spots must lead to legislation."

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