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| Hong Seung-hui in black-and-white hanbok, organizer of the "Hyonyeo Yeonhap," smiles at members of the Korea Parent Federation who shout at her and other activists during a rally in support of the survivors of sexual slavery, in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap |
By Chung Ah-young
A slew of parody groups which were created to oppose the Korea Parent Federation (KPF), a radical conservative association, have drawn public attention with their peaceful demonstrations.
To counter the KPF consisting of some 1,700 members, mostly Korean War veterans, the "Hyonyeo Yeonhap" (Good Daughters' Federation) led by activist Hong Seung-hui fought back with farce during a rally in front of the Japanese Embassy on Jan. 6.
Hong was among hundreds of civic activists who participated in the weekly rally for sexual slavery victims and demanded the cancelation of the recently signed agreement between Korea and Japan over the issue. The rally turned somewhat violent as the KPF members and other conservative groups appeared and demanded the former sex slaves accept Japan's apology and the agreement.
Hong, clad in black-and-white hanbok (traditional Korean dress), smiled in front of the KPF members who were shouting and cursing at her and other demonstrators there.
She held a picket reading: "Patriotism is not being loyal to a flag but saving our students drowning in water." The mention of drowning students obviously refers to those who died during the sinking of the Sewol ferry in April 2014, an accident that revealed the government's poor safety management.
Other activists held pickets that said: "History cannot be traded. Stop the illegal Korea-Japan agreement," and "Show respect to people."
Hong and other activists' calm and peaceful attitude contrasted with the agitated
seniors belonging to the KPF, which has often employed aggressive and radical tactics at demonstrations.
"The KPF's members couldn't look in my eyes. I saw their eyes trembling when I told them to stop doing this in front of the girl statue," she wrote on her Facebook page.
Photos capturing Hong's smile have gone viral through social networks, becoming the talk of the town among Internet users.
Hyonyeo Yeonhap's Facebook account has gained more than 13,300 likes since opening on Jan. 6.
She posted the message on Facebook, saying "Please join us to protect the girl statue. Create more groups like us."
In response to her posting, a series of associations parodying the KPF, such as Sisters' Federation, Uncles' Federation, Fathers' Federation, Sons' Federation and Brothers' Federation, have opened accounts on Facebook and launched similar activities.
On Jan. 9, the newly formed groups participated in a rally in Seoul to protest against the Korea-Japan sex slavery deal.
The groups consisting of young people mostly in their teens and 20s held carnations in contrast with the conservative groups. The Sons' Federation led by Lee Han-soo, 19, joined the rally, demanding the nullification of the agreement.
However, the conservative groups including the KPF did not hold counter protests against the young activists.
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