ED Minister's ludicrous remarks

Take radical measures to root out workplace sexual harassment

Gender Equality and Family Minister Lee Jung-ok has come under fire for her insensitive remarks regarding workplace sexual harassment. In a budget meeting at the National Assembly last Thursday, Lee referred to the by-elections in Seoul and Busan ― where the mayorships became vacant after sexual harassment allegations arose against the two former mayors ― as an “opportunity for people to gain an awareness of gender inequality issues.”

As an embarrassed opposition lawmaker asked again whether the minister thought of the hefty 83.8 billion won ($74.7 million) cost needed to fund the two elections as a kind of “tuition fee,” Minister Lee went one step further. “I think that we must try to find positive elements for the country under any circumstances,” Lee said. We are struck dumb with the Cabinet minister's lack of awareness and her distorted perception of sex crimes committed by high-ranking officials abusing their power.

It was no different from saying the gender equality minister thought it fortunate that such incidents had occurred. Lee's remarks were seen as not caring about the victims' suffering at all. Most disgraceful of all was that these comments came from none other than the gender equality minister, who should be the one to take the lead in advocating for women's rights and interests while protecting the victims of sexual harassment and assault.

After coming forward about their experiences, the victims have been fighting an uphill battle due to the influence, power and personal connections of the perpetrators. This is in addition to the indiscriminate abuse the victims are receiving from society as a whole. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is also behaving irresponsibly, deciding to field candidates for the two mayoral elections slated for next April, by revising its internal rules. Minister Lee's remarks might reflect the governing camp's failure to recognize the seriousness of the problem.

Minister Lee has become the target of criticism on more than a few occasions for lacking qualifications as head of the government office dealing with gender equality. No one needs to learn more than the minister how sensitive gender-related issues are. Lee and her ministry should come up, albeit belatedly, with radical measures to root out sexual harassment in the workplace.