Reform Party candidate under fire for misogynistic remark during TV debate

Lee Jun-seok, presidential candidate of the minor conservative Reform Party, poses before the third debate for the June 3 election, held at MBC Studio in Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corp.

A conservative presidential candidate in Korea, Lee Jun-seok of the minor Reform Party, ignited a firestorm of controversy and drew widespread condemnation for a sexually explicit comment made during a recent televised debate. The remark, seen by critics as deeply misogynistic, prompted immediate backlash across the political and social spectrum.

During the final round of live debates on Tuesday, Lee posed a graphic question to Kwon Young-kook, a candidate from the minor progressive Korean Democratic Labor Party (KDLP).

"If someone says they want to stick chopsticks into women’s genitals, would this constitute misogyny?" Lee asked, a comment that quickly intensified accusations against him and highlighted his reputation for anti-feminist rhetoric.

The 40-year-old was referring to a scandal involving Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) frontrunner Lee Jae-myung’s son, who allegedly posted misogynistic content online around 2020. Lee issued an apology for the scandal while campaigning for president in late 2021.

In response, Kwon refused to answer, saying, “I don’t understand what the purpose of this question is,” to which Lee asked again, “Does the KDLP not have any standards for sexually violent remarks?”

Kwon said, “Of course, we have standards for sexual abuse that are stricter than anyone else.”

Then Lee asked the DPK’s Lee Jae-myung whether he agreed, to which Lee responded, “Please ask questions in order and follow the rules.”

Lee’s choice of sexually explicit language shocked viewers nationwide, including many families with children watching during prime time, and triggered an immediate backlash from political circles, women’s rights activists and the public.

Terms including “women’s genitals,” “chopsticks,” “misogyny,” “resign candidacy” and “candidate Lee Jun-seok” have been trending overnight on X, formerly Twitter, with over 30,000 related posts each, mostly denouncing Lee’s actions and political path.

University students hold a press conference in front of the Reform Party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday, to denounce Lee Jun-seok’s violent remarks against women during Tuesday’s TV debate and call on him to withdraw from the presidential race. Yonhap

After the debate, Kwon issued a statement that called Lee’s choice of words “shocking,” “extremely violent” and “misogynistic,” and demanded he immediately withdraw from the presidential race.

The DPK called Lee’s remark “an utterly unacceptable act of violence” and “the most vulgar form of hate politics.”

The women’s committee of the DPK issued a statement saying, “We cannot help but be angered that hateful and insulting remarks against women were made without any restraint. Regardless of the reason, the remarks cannot be justified.”

They urged him to apologize to the public and resign.

Kim Min-seok, co-chairman of the party’s standing committee, said on social media, “Lee Jun-seok’s political career is over. He must resign.”

Kim Yong-min, the DPK’s deputy floor leader for policy, added, “He has crossed the line. We should expel him from his position as a lawmaker and ban him from all broadcasting programs.”

Women’s groups also strongly condemned the issue following the debate.

Political Mamas, a local civic group promoting gender equality and children’s welfare, holds a press conference before filing a complaint against Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok at the National Police Agency in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

“It is unacceptable for someone standing as a presidential candidate to spread violent and disparaging expressions against women in front of everyone,” the Korea Women’s Hotline said in a statement.

The Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center also said, “Someone who takes advantage of and displays the pain of others and women is not a politician, but a cyber wrecker,” referring to YouTubers who profit from spreading malicious rumors and blackmail victims. The group urged the National Assembly’s Ethics Committee to investigate and take measures.

Political Mamas, a local civic group promoting gender equality and children’s welfare, filed a complaint against Lee, Wednesday, on charges of spreading explicit material and causing emotional abuse and harm to the mental health and development of children. Over 37,728 people joined the complaint as co-accusers.

Meanwhile, the Reform Party candidate defended his remarks and offered “a heartfelt apology to those who found it uncomfortable.”

“I honestly don’t know how to refine that statement … but I don’t think there’s any other way than to actually say it to deliver the message,” he told reporters during a campaign event in Yeouido, Wednesday.

“I knew there could be people who would be uncomfortable watching it, and I apologize for it. But from my point of view, if those words and actions are true, it is an issue that needs sufficient verification,” he said.

Lee Jun-seok, presidential candidate for the minor conservative Reform Party, speaks during a campaign event in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Hours before the campaign event, Lee posted on social media Wednesday morning, “I don’t understand why it’s a problem to ask about the standards and values of a presidential candidate regarding sex crimes,” criticizing his opponents for refusing to answer his question.

Lee has long denied the existence of structural or systemic gender inequality in Korea, arguing that claims of discrimination against women stem from what he called a “groundless victim mentality.” In 2022, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea classified this statement as hate speech.

During the 2022 presidential election, he proposed abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, arguing that it was no longer necessary.

Women account for the vast majority of victims of violent crimes in Korea and face the widest gender pay gap among the 38 OECD countries.