South Korean Women Feel Marginalized Again After Major Protests

Women were pivotal in protests leading to the impeachment of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, yet they now feel sidelined as presidential candidates largely avoid addressing gender equality. Despite their activism, young women express dissatisfaction with political promises and fear a rollback of rights.

In December, the once vibrant protests that filled South Korea's streets, initiated by women against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, seem to have dwindled into silence ahead of the June presidential election. An Byunghui, a 24-year-old college student who participated in the protests, recalls the surge of empowerment she felt while marching alongside fellow women, united in their demand for equality. With Yoon's controversial declarations of martial law igniting public outcry, the women rose collectively against his administration's blatant disregard for gender discrimination.

However, as South Koreans prepare for new presidential candidates, many women feel overlooked. The two primary candidates in the upcoming election have maintained muted stances on women’s rights, reflecting a political landscape that appears to sidestep gender disparities. This silence is especially poignant given Yoon’s earlier success in appealing to young men who felt disenfranchised by perceived feminist advancements.

“What has changed?” Byunghui muses, echoing a sentiment shared by many of her peers who once hoped that their voices would make a lasting impact. Despite their role in making history—many women, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, actively participated in protests that led to Yoon’s ouster—they now feel they are being erased from critical political dialogues concerning their futures.

The disconnection feels evident when examining the current political candidates. They have failed to address the pressing issues of gender inequality, with many young women calling for a more proactive engagement beyond token promises. As former political structures aimed at protecting women's rights are dismantled, fears grow that recent advancements may be slipping away in the face of polarized views.

The past year witnessed a not-so-subtle backlash against feminism, framed by rising anti-feminist sentiment among some young men who believe they are victims of "reverse discrimination." This creates an environment that is increasingly hostile towards the very ideals of gender equality that women fought so hard to establish. Politicians like Yoon capitalized on rocking the status quo, a strategy that seems set to resurface in the rhetoric as elections approach.

With no women running, the current presidential election features candidates catering to more traditional ideas about family and gender roles — trends that many women fear could threaten their rights further. Despite a notable lack of representation, there remains an inner resilience among young women. They are determined to continue advocating for recognition and change.

Political analysts, including Go Min-hee from Ewha Women's University, suggest that this election may see a continuation of Yoon’s legacy of neglecting women's issues, as candidates vie for broad voter appeal amid growing gender tensions. While some candidates are attempting to reclaim the narrative surrounding gender equality, it’s received with skepticism—especially from women who feel their contributions have gone unnoticed.

Ultimately, young women like Byunghui and Lee Jinha refuse to fade silently into the background. They are using the experience from past protests as motivation to keep pushing back. The women express a palpable hope that their time will comeback when the future is forged anew, driven by the tireless ambitions of South Korean women who refuse to accept a political narrative that overlooks their voices. As these young women step back, reassessing the political climate, many recognize they cannot afford to relinquish their influence now, or in the elections to come.