Potential Backsliding in South Korea?

15/03/2022

Jayantika Rao Tiruvaloor Viavoori

Women’s Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

A week after electing Yoon Suk-yeol as the new president for South Korea, many advocates for women’s rights are left questioning its effect on the already marginalised women of the country. The anti-feminist rhetoric used throughout the election campaign by President Yoon Suk-yeol could result in a governmental and social backlash against feminist movements that aim for women’s empowerment. During his campaign, Yoon called for an abolishment of the ‘Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’ as he believes they focus on women’s rights that are no longer necessary (Rashid, 2022). Despite numerous surveys and reports that provide ample evidence on gender inequality in the country, Yoon claims that South Korea has no “structural gender discrimination” (Rashid, 2022).  

The misogynistic narratives that weaponised ‘feminism’ and ‘gender equality’ can incite structural discrimination between the genders. Blaming feminism for other issues plaguing South Korea, like low birth rates, rising living costs, or even a bleak job market (Rashid, 2022), can mean a regression in gender equality. By completely turning a blind eye toward gender-based violence, there is a significant chance that policies implemented or proposed for gender equality will be discarded. For many women, Yoon’s use of anti-feminist rhetoric to win has made the country a “worse place for them” (Gunia, 2022).  

Sources and Further Reading:

Rashid, Raphael. (2022, 11 March). ‘Devastated’: gender equality hopes on hold as ‘anti-feminist’ voted South Korea’s president. The Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2022 from, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/south-korea-gender-equality-anti-feminist-president-yoon-suk-yeol

Seo, Yoonjung and Hollingsworth, Julia. (2022, 9 March). How Feminism became a hot topic in South Korea’s presidential elections. CNN. Retrieved 15 March 2022 from, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/08/asia/south-korea-election-young-people-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

Gunia, Amy. (2022, 10 March). How South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol capitalized on Anti-Feminism Backlash to win the Presidency. TIME. Retrieved 15 March 2022 from, https://time.com/6156537/south-korea-president-yoon-suk-yeol-sexism/