On December 3rd, An Byunghui, engrossed in a video game, learned of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law. The internet quickly confirmed the shocking announcement, showcasing images of soldiers breaching the National Assembly and MPs scaling walls to prevent a vote.
Thousands, particularly young women, immediately protested, with Byunghui traveling from Daegu to Seoul to join them. Their anger stemmed not only from Yoon’s actions but also from his denial of systemic sexism despite widespread discrimination and violence against women.
Week after week, they rallied, culminating in Yoon’s impeachment four months later. Yet, with the June 3rd presidential election approaching, these women feel their voices are once again being ignored.
The two leading candidates have largely sidestepped gender equality, a polarizing topic that propelled Yoon to power in 2022 with his promises to defend men feeling marginalized. A third candidate, popular among young men for his anti-feminist stance, is further complicating the issue.
For many young South Korean women, this new candidate represents a renewed struggle. “We felt we were making the world better,” says 24-year-old Byunghui, a college student. “But now, I wonder if anything has truly improved. It feels like they’re trying to erase our voices.”
Byunghui vividly recalls the December protests: tens of thousands of women, bundled against the cold, waving lightsticks and banners, singing K-pop anthems like Girls’ Generation’s “Into the World,” a song previously used in anti-corruption protests.
While precise numbers are unavailable, reports indicate a significant presence of women in their 20s and 30s at these rallies, vastly outnumbering their male counterparts. This demonstrates the strength of feeling against the perceived anti-feminist policies.
These protests highlighted pervasive discrimination, sexual harassment, and violence against women in South Korea, a country with the largest gender pay gap among wealthy nations and societal pressure on women to marry and have children.
“All the built-up frustration burst forth,” explains 23-year-old Kim Saeyeon. “That’s why so many young women protested – to express their dissatisfaction.” Lee Jinha, 26, adds, “It was a sense of responsibility, despite the cold, crowds, and workload.”
Professor Go Min-hee of Ewha Women’s University notes Yoon’s “anti-feminist” reputation and lack of support for policies benefiting young women. Conversely, many young men supported Yoon, viewing themselves as victims of “reverse discrimination” due to mandatory military service.
These men, often labeling feminists as “man haters,” spearheaded an online backlash against gender equality initiatives. Their online presence increased under Yoon’s leadership, who vowed to dismantle the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Yoon’s denial of systemic gender inequality resonated with many; a pre-election survey revealed 79% of young men felt discriminated against. Kim Eun-ju, director of the Center for Korean Women and Politics, notes Yoon’s party actively strengthened anti-feminist sentiments among young men.
During Yoon’s tenure, government departments with “women” in their titles were either eliminated or rebranded. This alienated young women while fueling the backlash against feminism. Byunghui witnessed this firsthand, observing overwhelmingly female anti-Yoon protests met with hostility from some young men.
Yoon’s removal left his People Power Party in disarray. The upcoming election features no female candidates for the first time in 18 years, a stark contrast to the two women candidates in the previous election.
While the leading candidate, Lee Jae-myung, initially avoided addressing gender inequality, criticism prompted his party to acknowledge structural discrimination and pledge to address it. This shift, however, is viewed as insufficient by many young women.
The fate of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family remains a contentious issue, with Lee Jae-myung vowing to strengthen it and another candidate proposing its replacement. Professor Go highlights its symbolic importance, emphasizing that its abolition would signal the government’s disregard for gender equality.
The emergence of Lee Jun-seok, a third candidate with anti-feminist views, further complicates the situation. His recent comments sparked outrage, fueling concerns among women about the potential rise of misogynistic online communities.
This leaves many women feeling abandoned and disillusioned. Saeyeon expresses anger and despair, linking Lee Jun-seok’s popularity to South Korea’s long neglect of structural gender discrimination.
While some women consider supporting a candidate who explicitly addresses their concerns, others prioritize strategically voting to prevent a more extreme outcome, highlighting the complexity and urgency of the situation.
The ongoing struggle underscores the need for continued activism. Byunghui states, “It’s like dust on the wall; once you see it, it stays with you.” Jinha echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the significant impact of Yoon’s actions on their lives and their determination to fight for a more equitable future.