{"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