Kim Ki-hyun "Women also need training to protect themselves... Women vulnerable in war"

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the "Media, Reform for the Future" Grand Debate held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Ki-hyun, a ruling party presidential candidate who proposed "mandatory basic military training for women," emphasized the necessity by stating, "Women should have the ability or training to protect themselves and their families."

On the 19th, Kim appeared on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs" and said, "Looking at the Ukraine situation, when war breaks out, women and children are especially vulnerable."

He had previously advocated for mandatory basic military training for women, but fellow ruling party presidential candidate Yoon Sang-hyun and others criticized, saying, "There needs to be a discussion to build social consensus."

In response, Kim emphasized the need for training, citing the escalating threat from North Korea: "In emergencies, at least emergency relief measures, how to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear leaks, and in the worst case, how to use firearms should be taught."

When asked by the host about the priority of "preventing war from happening," he replied, "Who would want war and hope for it to happen? Looking at the Imjin War, to prevent war, we had to prepare a hundred thousand troops. We build up the military to prevent war."

Regarding the issue of "female conscription" raised by some, he said, "We are no longer in a situation to debate this leisurely," and pointed out the necessity by stating, "Last year, there were 334,000 males aged 20, but by 2043, 23 years from now, that number will decrease to one-third, 109,000."

He added, "In countries like Sweden and Norway, women themselves have stepped forward to serve in the military first," and said, "There is also an argument that women should not be considered weaker or as people to be protected compared to men, but that women should proudly have the same status as men."

Regarding the emergency response committee led by Jeong Jin-seok undertaking party organization restructuring, he said, "It is a necessary time for party organization maintenance," and added, "For a long time, the party has been in an abnormal state with many party branch chair positions (over 60) vacant, so it is necessary to carry out some restructuring."

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