{"id":2203485,"date":"2024-01-15T18:13:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T09:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203485"},"modified":"2024-01-16T17:47:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T08:47:07","slug":"south-koreas-metoo-movement-faces-legal-hurdles-after-supreme-court-verdict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/01\/south-koreas-metoo-movement-faces-legal-hurdles-after-supreme-court-verdict\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s #MeToo movement faces legal hurdles after Supreme Court verdict"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Dec. 21, the South Korean Supreme Court issued the final verdict in a high-profile case that had significant implications for the #MeToo movement in the country. Seo Ji-hyun, a former prosecutor, <\/span>lost<\/span><\/a> her lawsuit for damages against a former senior prosecutor and the state, <\/span>alleging<\/span><\/a> sexual harassment and abuse of power.<\/span><\/p>\n

This decision not only highlighted the legal hurdles faced by survivors of sexual abuse in South Korea but also brought into question the long-term impact of the #MeToo movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seo\u2019s lawsuit in 2018 was a catalyst for the #MeToo movement in South Korea, inspiring women across various industries and sectors to publicly confront sexual abuse by high-profile men. In the weeks following her televised interview, there was a notable <\/span>23.5% increase<\/span><\/a> in reports of sexual abuse and domestic violence, as recorded by the Korea Women\u2019s Hotline.<\/span><\/p>\n

The public response in 2018 also included <\/span>widespread street demonstrations<\/span><\/a> by young women showing solidarity with victims of sexual abuse. Further, the South Korean government, under then-President Moon Jae-in, <\/span>acknowledged<\/span><\/a> its role in addressing gender-based violence, signaling a shift in the official stance on such issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

One prominent case affected by this movement was that of Ahn Hee-jung, the former governor of South Chungcheong Province. He <\/span>resigned<\/span><\/a> following accusations by a secretary of repeated rape. Ahn\u2019s resignation, especially considering his political prominence and potential presidential candidacy, demonstrated the growing influence of the #MeToo movement in the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important legacy of the #MeToo movement is that young women, especially those in their 20s and 30s, began to recognize sexual harassment as a social problem that needs collective action rather than a personal problem individual women must face alone,\u201d Oh Kyung-jin, the executive director of Korea Women\u2019s Associations United (KWAU), told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean women protest against former South Chungcheong Province Ahn Hee-jung, March 5, 2019 | Image: Ra Dragon<\/a> via Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

STALLED REFORMS<\/b><\/p>\n

While the #MeToo movement altered public perspectives on sexual violence in South Korea, the translation of this shift into effective legal reforms and policy changes has been markedly <\/span>slow<\/span><\/a>. By 2020, the National Assembly had enacted only 35 of the <\/span>145 legislative bills proposed<\/span><\/a> in response to the movement. This gap between societal demands and legislative action has raised concerns about the movement\u2019s sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Central to these concerns is the definition of rape in South Korean law. Despite <\/span>increased public awareness<\/span><\/a> of gender sensitivity and the role of unequal power dynamics in gender violence, the legal definition of rape remains narrow, requiring evidence of physical resistance. This contrasts with the legal frameworks in countries like the U.K. and Germany, where nonconsensual sex is punishable under broader definitions of rape.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn Korea, the legal definition of rape requires that the victim physically resists the attacker. But in reality, over 70% of sexual violence cases occur without any threat or use of force,\u201d said Kim Hye-jung, the director of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center (KSVRC).<\/span><\/p>\n

International human rights groups, including the <\/span>United Nations<\/span><\/a>, have urged South Korea to revise its definition of rape, but the administration has maintained its narrow interpretation, hampering progress toward aligning with global human rights standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another significant legal challenge in South Korea is its <\/span>defamation law<\/span><\/a>, which allows individuals accused of sexual harassment or assault to counter-sue their accusers for defamation, even if the accusations are factual, claiming damage to their reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This law has been <\/span>criticized<\/span><\/a> for favoring powerful individuals and has led to legal repercussions for victims of sexual harassment who speak out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA number of women who spoke out during the 2018 #MeToo movement are now struggling with defamation lawsuits,\u201d explained Lee So-hee, the director of the sexual violence center at Womenlink, a feminist organization under KWAU.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fear of counter-lawsuits poses legal challenges and silences many victims of sexual violence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A bill to decriminalize defamation has been <\/span>proposed<\/span><\/a> but has yet to be passed into law. This <\/span>lack of legal progress<\/span><\/a> was at the core of Seo losing her lawsuit, with her damages claims <\/span>invalidated<\/span><\/a> due to the statute of limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Then-candidate Yoon Suk-yeol pledges to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family during a campaign speech, Feb. 15, 2022 | Image: People Power Party<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

POLITICAL CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n

In the face of slow legal reform, President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s approach to the #MeToo movement marks a significant shift from Moon\u2019s. Yoon previously embraced anti-feminist rhetoric as a strategy to gain votes from young men to clinch the presidency.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the 2020 general election and the 2021 presidential campaign, politicians and candidates depicted the #MeToo movement as solely benefiting women, thereby creating a gender divide,\u201d explained Kim from KSVRC.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cConsequently, the government has failed to maintain the #MeToo movement\u2019s momentum and has instead regressed on issues of women\u2019s rights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

During the campaign, Yoon was vocal in <\/span>denying<\/span><\/a> the existence of structural gender discrimination, a key issue highlighted by the #MeToo movement. His campaign included proposals to <\/span>abolish<\/span><\/a> the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and introduce <\/span>stricter penalties<\/span><\/a> for false rape accusations.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a context where defamation charges already threaten survivors, these proposed changes have sparked <\/span>international concerns<\/span><\/a> about their potential to further silence victims of sexual assault.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current political narrative, emphasizing false accusations against men, has contributed to a widening gender gap and <\/span>hindered efforts<\/span><\/a> to broaden the legal definition of rape to include non-consensual sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

This shift in political stance is reflected in public opinion, with <\/span>Hankook Research data<\/span><\/a> showing a decline in support for the #MeToo movement, especially among young men. From 2018 to 2021, overall support dropped from 84% to 69%, with a steep decrease among men in their 20s and 30s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The political climate, combined with the absence of substantial policy changes and growing anti-feminist sentiment, poses a threat to the #MeToo movement\u2019s achievements. This is further highlighted by Ah Hee-jung\u2019s recent efforts to <\/span>re-enter<\/span><\/a> the political arena.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, some voices remain optimistic about the lasting impact of the #MeToo movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh from KWAU asserts that the movement has irreversibly changed public perceptions of sexual violence, particularly among young Koreans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe #MeToo movement has changed how society views sexual violence victims, leaving a lasting impression on young Koreans. This shift in perception is irreversible, even with the political backlash against feminist movements,\u201d Oh from KWAU asserted.<\/span><\/p>\n

This generational shift in mindset is evident in various social initiatives, such as the \u201c<\/span>escape the corset<\/span><\/a>\u201d movement and advocacy for women\u2019s reproductive rights, culminating in the <\/span>legalization of abortion<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that the #MeToo movement should be limited to just women sharing their experiences with sexual violence,\u201d explained Lee from Womenlink.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough media focus and public backing for the #MeToo movement have lessened, it continues to be a part of many Korean women\u2019s everyday lives. Many of them are now proactively identifying and reporting sexual harassment, particularly in the workplace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Dec. 21, the South Korean Supreme Court issued the final verdict in a high-profile case that had significant implications for the #MeToo movement in the country. Seo Ji-hyun, a former prosecutor, lost her lawsuit for damages against a former senior prosecutor and the state, alleging sexual harassment and abuse of power. This decision not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2203491,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,27],"yoast_head":"\nSouth Korea\u2019s #MeToo movement faces legal hurdles after Supreme Court verdict - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/01\/south-koreas-metoo-movement-faces-legal-hurdles-after-supreme-court-verdict\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s #MeToo movement faces legal hurdles after Supreme Court verdict - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"On Dec. 21, the South Korean Supreme Court issued the final verdict in a high-profile case that had significant implications for the #MeToo movement in the country. 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