South Korean Women Face Political Disempowerment Ahead of Election

As South Korea gears up for elections, young women who were pivotal in movements against former President Yoon Suk Yeol feel overlooked, with critical issues such as gender discrimination receiving scant attention from male candidates.

As South Korea approaches its presidential election on June 3, young women who played a crucial role in the protests that led to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment find themselves disillusioned by the available political choices. Despite their active participation in the demonstrations, condemning Yoon’s governance and the martial law imposed in December, many women feel that their specific priorities are sidelined once again.

In recent years, young South Korean women have faced severe gender-based discrimination, from wage disparities to underrepresentation in leadership roles and increased online harassment. As political tensions rise, these issues have become politically sensitive topics. The economic struggle, exacerbated by the ongoing downturn, has left many young men feeling disadvantaged, leading to resistance against discussions of feminist policies. This environment has allowed politicians like Yoon to capitalize on grievances, garnering support from young male voters by dismissing claims of systemic discrimination against women.

Lee Jae-myung, Yoon's opponent in the upcoming election who narrowly lost in 2022, currently leads in the polls but is cautious in his approach. While he acknowledges the activism of young women in the protests against Yoon, he and his left-leaning Democratic Party tread lightly on feminist issues to avoid alienating male constituents. The looming election amplifies the voices of young women, yet the silence from candidates regarding their pressing concerns continues to foster an unsettling sense of political disenfranchisement.