Women's Party aims to challenge 'male-dominated' political arena

Members of the Women's Party pose during the party's inauguration ceremony held at a theater inside the Seoul Arts College complex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, March 8, the 112th International Women's Day. Courtesy of O Yu-jin

This is the first in a series to deal with minor parties with specific agendas that were newly launched to target proportional representation seats for the April 15 general election. ― ED.

By Jung Da-min

"I won't be silenced!" Women chanting the famous phrase of the worldwide #MeToo movement are now gearing up to enter the National Assembly of Korea, reflecting years-long calls by an increasing number of women who have joined rallies to make their voices on gender-related issues heard.

About 10,000 women have gathered to create a party that is "for women, of women and by women" under the name of the Women's Party. The party succeeded to meet the requirements to become a legal political party ― having at least 1,000 members each in at least five regions under the central headquarters in Seoul―, with 8,200 registering as party members in late February, in only nine days since registration started.

Thirty-seven days after discussions to launch the party were started among participants at a forum on the women's movement in early February, the Women's Party held its inauguration ceremony on March 8, the 112th International Women's Day, at a theater inside the Seoul Arts College complex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

A few dozen members attended the ceremony in person, all wearing face masks as a prevention against the COVID-19 spread. The event was aired through online platforms for those who could not be there over concerns about the virus.

Congratulatory speeches were delivered by Chang Do-song, Korea's first female manager of a bank and former head of a branch of the now-defunct CHB Bank from 1954 to 1993, and former lawmaker Sohn Bong-scuk who headed many women's movements for the past few decades and was Korea's first woman member of the National Election Commission.

"There were many difficulties when I was leading women's rights groups, but now I feel like I am witnessing a new era seeing the Women's Party gaining about 10,000 members within 37 days," Sohn said. "We are neither progressive nor conservative but solely focused to work for women's agendas. The Women's Party aims to enter the National Assembly."

Members of the Women's Party observe silence in respect for the female martyrs of Korea during the party's inauguration ceremony at a theater inside the Seoul Arts College complex in southern Seoul, March 8. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-min

The Women's Party officials say that it aims to have four members take Assembly seats in the April 15 general election. Under a changed electoral system, minor parties have a better chance of winning proportional representation seats.

"The launch of the Women's Party is a result of the electoral reform that expands the proportional representation seats and is a warning to the existing political parties," Kim Eun-ju, who headed the preparatory committee for the party establishment and now a party co-leader, said in an opening speech.

The party officials say that they put priority on the "agenda of women" when it comes to policy discussions. One issues that the party is trying to shed light on is online sexual crimes, such as those involving spycams or online platforms including file-sharing websites and social network services.

The issue of crimes involving spycams, in particular, had brought nationwide rallies among young women in 2018. Tens of thousands of women, mostly in their teens through their 30s, gathered for six rallies held throughout the year near Hyehwa Station or Gwanghwamun Square to protest the "male-dominated" government authorities, condemning them for neglecting their duties to protect women citizens.

"Korean society regarded women in their 20s who protested in the streets as extreme feminists while not asking us why we could not help being that furious," Lee Ji-won, one of the seven co-leaders of the Women's Party representing different age groups, said during her acceptance speech. Lee was elected to represent women in their 20s. "Women in their 20s are no longer turning away from the digital-based violence against women ... Women in their 20s are no longer turning away from the misogyny rampant in their daily lives."

Seven co-leaders of the Women's Party representing different age groups ― from teens through 60s ― hold hands during the party's inauguration ceremony at a theater inside the Seoul Arts College complex in southern Seoul, March 8. Courtesy of O Yu-jin

The Women's Party is rather a "young" party, not just in that it was newly created but also that most of its members are in their 20s (about 67 percent of the total membership), 30s (about 11 percent) and teens (about 11 percent). Those in their 40s, 50s and 60s account for 4 percent, 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

A total of seven co-leaders represent the different age groups from teens through 60s, with two people representing those in their 40s.

Sharing their stories as women living in a male-dominated society, the seven leaders said they have faced different challenges in different times but agreed that there is still a long way to go for women to achieve the rights they deserve.

"My father was stressed out that he did not have a son and my mother smoked in the toilet after doing the dishes, while I stood guard for her. I spent my teens being self-conscious and my 20s feeling dejected, but I started to find myself through learning about feminism and women's history," said Lee Sung-sook, a co-leader representing members in their 60s. "Now I am really thrilled to witness the historic launch of the Women's Party in my life … The Women's Party will not be silenced."