People Power Party: "Lee Jeong-ok, Minister of Gender Equality and Family for the 'Ruling Party,' Not for Women"

Published 05 Nov.2020 12:01(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Today, at the Budget and Accounts Committee, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Lee Jeong-ok, who said that the April by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral offices are "an opportunity for the public to collectively learn about gender sensitivity," was criticized by the People Power Party as "a minister for the ruling party, not for women."

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement on the 5th, "Such remarks make us question who the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family actually exists for."

Deputy Spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "Avoiding clear power-related sexual crimes by saying 'an ongoing investigation' and showing no consideration for the victim's pain in the by-elections funded by a huge amount of public money perfectly mirrors the Democratic Party's behavior. Minister Lee went even further by shifting blame to the opposition, saying, 'The politicization of sexual violence issues does not help the victims, and if linked to elections, it is highly likely to lead to excessive political strife.'"

He added, "It is none other than the Democratic Party that not only ignores sexual violence victims but also causes secondary harm to them and even amends party rules to involve elections for political gain. Moreover, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who should be comforting and representing the suffering women victims, is instead making absurd arguments calling it a 'learning opportunity' to cover up the ruling party's shamelessness. Therefore, Minister Lee is no different from a secondary perpetrator rather than a minister of Gender Equality and Family."