In South Korea, a far-right rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol has escalated into misogyny and violence, sparking social controversy. Participants have been hurling indiscriminate insults and engaging in violence against women, leading to criticism that the far-right is transforming the rally into a platform for misogyny and violence.
Ewha Womans University Condemns Far-Right's Misogyny and Violence
On the morning of the 28th, students from Ewha Womans University held a press conference in front of the school's main gate, denouncing the far-right's violence on campus on the 26th. Students stated, "The far-right protesters who stormed the campus hurled misogynistic and discriminatory remarks such as 'Go home and take care of your kids,' 'You b*tch,' and 'How will you ever get married?' They also accused the far-right of forming a scrum and engaging in indiscriminate violence. One student emphasized, "We will continue to demand liberation from the current regime that threatens democracy and from a society that confines women to a box."
Far-Right's Violence Led by Misogynistic Groups
The far-right's violence at Ewha Womans University on the 26th went beyond mere chanting of slogans, escalating into verbal abuse and physical assault against students. Protesters were seen lying down in the direction of students, pushing and knocking them over, grabbing their collars, and destroying and biting their placards. These acts of violence were reportedly led by groups known for misogyny, such as the New Men's Solidarity. These groups have previously caused controversy by threatening students at Dongduk Women's University and posting videos mocking them.
Women's Groups Diagnose Far-Right's Misogyny as a Key Driver
Women's groups have diagnosed this incident as an example of how misogyny is a key driver for the far-right. Kwon Kim Hyun-young, director of the Women's Reality Research Institute, criticized, "The fact that Bae In-kyu of the New Men's Solidarity went to Ewha Womans University after being cornered by the suspension of YouTube revenue is the same formula as Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party going to Dongduk Women's University. Harassing young women is the easiest thing to do, and far-right populism is not far away." Professor Yoon Kim Ji-young of Changwon National University analyzed, "This appears to be an act to show off aggressive masculinity that can psychologically and physically subdue women." Professor Hong Seok-kyung of Seoul National University's Department of Media and Information analyzed, "They seem to have targeted the feminist symbolism of women's universities and the symbolism of Ewha Womans University, where 'Into the New World' was first sung."
Analysis Suggests Politicians' Anti-Feminist Actions Fueled Violence
Some analysts suggest that politicians who have taken 'anti-feminist actions' during political crises have fueled this violence. Professor Yoon Kim criticized, "Because the political sphere openly engages in anti-feminist and anti-reform fascism in the public sphere, misogynistic groups have become emboldened to operate offline."
Police File Complaints Against Far-Right YouTubers
The far-right YouTubers who stormed Ewha Womans University have been reported to the police. Kim Han-mae, representative of the Civic Action for Establishing Judicial Justice, stated, "We have filed complaints with the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency against Bae In-kyu (New Men's Solidarity), Ahn Jung-kwon (Bellado), and the operators of the Freedom Rider YouTube channel for violating the Act on Assembly and Demonstration and for assault and property damage."
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