The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Sat, March 6, 2021 | 17:48
-------------------------
Choi Soon-sil scandal sparks gender issues
Posted : 2016-12-08 17:00
Updated : 2016-12-08 20:44
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
An activist holds a poster reading 'The President's gender is neither a matter of excuse, nor a matter of mockery,' at a rally in Seoul calling for President Park Geun-hye's resignation over her involvement in an influence-peddling scandal, Nov. 19. / Courtesy of Feminists Committee of Labor Party
An activist holds a poster reading "The President's gender is neither a matter of excuse, nor a matter of mockery," at a rally in Seoul calling for President Park Geun-hye's resignation over her involvement in an influence-peddling scandal, Nov. 19. / Courtesy of Feminists Committee of Labor Party

By Choi Ha-young


The unfolding scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil has ignited gender issues after sparking a flurry of sexist comments.

While criticizing the central figure in the influence-peddling scandal, seasoned politicians have made derogatory remarks toward women without acknowledging the sexist elements in their comments.

For instance, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, who is emerging as a dark horse for the next presidential race with a 15 percent approval rating, said, "Choi is just like a rude woman in a marketplace."

Park Jie-won, the interim leader of the People's Party, also said, "Can't imagine another female president in the next 100 years."

Some protesters have made sexist remarks that are even more insulting.

A high school student said on the podium at the Nov. 12 candlelit rally: "Childless Park is not a woman."

According to Burning Femi-Action, an online feminist group, some protesters criticized the appearance of Chung Yoo-ra, Choi's daughter who entered a prestigious university by taking advantage of Choi's close ties with President Park. A poster read: "Chung, plastic surgery monster, lose weight."

President Park has long been one of a few prominent female politicians, along with Hillary Clinton in the United States, Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar and Angela Merkel in Germany.



Discriminatory anger?

The gender of Park and Choi has spurred much gossip: Choi's Prada shoes went viral online, as did her relationship with Ko Young-tae, 20 years her junior.

People have made hay over rumors of Park receiving cosmetic treatments or having her hair styled for 90 minutes on the day of the Sewol ferry sinking. People also mocked the alias she used at a luxury anti-aging clinic — Gil Ra-im, the name of a K-drama heroine. Some internet users have said the "ignorant K-drama fan" is unqualified to lead the nation.

Women's rights groups agree that widespread anger against Park and Choi is sometimes "politically incorrect," and many points are based on the prejudice that luxury and skincare goods are preferred by women.

Further, Park apparently capitalized on her gender. Regarding the various allegations, her legal representative Yoo Young-ha said, "She is a woman before a president, so please consider her privacy."

Former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon also said, "I couldn't ask Park about what she was doing during the seven hours of the ferry incident as it is rude to intrude on a female president's privacy."

"This is the worst use of gender image: men do public jobs, women do private jobs," said Kim Soo-jung, an activist from a group named Feminists Make Park Resign. "I can't forgive Park for using her female identity to conceal the tragedy of the Sewol ferry disaster."

The collapse of the country's first female president is expected to adversely affect female leaders' efforts to break through the glass ceiling in political, business and other social fields, said Nayoung, a feminist columnist from Network for Glocal Activism.

To overcome this, the media and investigations should focus on the structure of the scandal, she said. "For example, Park's alleged stem cell treatment shows the link between the medical circle and political power," she said.

Still, many activists said they dream of a female leader who can genuinely represent women.

"Park suddenly adopted a feminine image during her 2012 presidential campaign, targeting middle-aged women's votes. However, the essence of her policies came from her father's iron fist," Nayoung said.

President Park is the daughter of the dictator Park Chung-hee.

However, there's still a long way to go. "Many still believe economic growth and development require a male politicians' charismatic leadership," she said. "This environment makes it difficult for politicians to show a female identity."

Emailhayoung.choi@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
 
  • 279 caught for spreading disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Seoul encourages foreign residents to take COVID-19 tests
  • Medical experts warn against excessive fears of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Animal rights activists dump coconuts in front of Thai embassy, criticizing forced monkey labor
  • Fire engulfs old Buddhist temple in southwestern region
  • Reporting on Korean digital sex crimes: Western comparison
  • Sarkozy conviction
  • South Korea approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
  • [INTERVIEW] Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies
  • US International Trade Commission reaffirms ruling in favor of LG over SK in battery feud
  • Stars accused of school bullying paying price Stars accused of school bullying paying price
  • Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects
  • K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination
  • Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action
  • Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use
DARKROOM
  • Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

    Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

  • Earth is suffering

    Earth is suffering

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright