22,000 women demand police chief step down
More than 22,000 protesters called for gender equality and fairness in the law enforcement process investigating spy camera crimes near the Hyehwa Station in Seoul, Saturday. / Korea Times photo by Lee Suh-yoon
Largest rally held against spy camera crimes
By Jung Da-min
More than 22,000 women took to the streets Saturday, calling for gender equality and fairness in law enforcement.
They gathered near Hyehwa Subway Station in Seoul, demanding National Police Agency Commissioner Lee Chul-sung step down immediately.
He has been criticized for running a “gender-biased investigation” into illicit photograph taking involving a male and female model. Lee's term ends this month.
Police detained the female model who secretly took pictures of the male model and spread them online. Women criticized officers saying they tended to “speed up” investigations when the victims were men.
Donning red clothes and performing various acts as symbols of protest, the protestors shouted they wanted a “female” police commissioner who can tackle gender issues and crimes appropriately.
This is the second time women have rallied over the incident; but this was the largest gathering organized by individuals via an online cafe.
The cafe was set up to fight against spy camera crimes, and has more than 34,000 members. Their first rally took place on May 19.
“I have a sister who is younger than me, and I want to change this gender-biased society for her,” said a protester, who asked not to be named, after shaving her head.
Women shave their heads near Hyehwa Subway Station, Seoul, Saturday, to protest “gender-biased” investigations into spy camera crimes by police. / Korea Times photo by Lee Suh-yoon
Five others also shaved their heads to show their determination to protest against this “male-dominated society.”
A stage performance also took place on the street in which four women secretly took pictures of a man in a bathroom.
They also refuted recent police data that showed they brought a large number of those who committed spy camera crimes to justice.
Police said they caught 96 percent of alleged perpetrators over the past five years, and about 98 percent of those were male.
But protestors said only 31.5 percent of those who were caught red handed had been prosecuted.
“The data does not reflect women's reality at all,” a protester said.
“The police and prosecutors should take more action instead of just speaking.”
They continued that women are still afraid of cameras hidden in public places. Some victims are also still suffering extreme stress due to such crimes.
The protest against the police came after Lee presented such data in response to a public petition calling for “equal justice” on Cheong Wa Dae's website. More than 400,000 people signed the petition in 10 days.
Lee Suh-yoon contributed reporting.