Opinion by Haeryun Kang: How South Korea’s “anti-feminist” election fueled a gender war
Over 200 female protesters gathered in central Seoul on Feb. 27, calling for women's representation in South Korea's presidential election. This week, Yoon Suk-yeol was elected the next president of South Korea, after leading a campaign that capitalized on “anti-feminist” policies and rhetoric. His win signals a major threat to women’s rights over the next five years and could herald increasing governmental and social backlash against feminist movements.
Never before had gender politics been used by mainstream candidates to define key campaign strategies — and incite division between men and women. Profiting from hate and division is not new in politics; the South Korean example shows just how quickly the tides can turn against a progressive movement.As women’s rights have grown in popularity and awareness in South Korea, backlash against feminism has also expanded.