Settings

ⓕ font-size

  • -2
  • -1
  • 0
  • +1
  • +2

Lawmaker challenges old practices at National Assembly with informal outfits

  • Facebook share button
  • Twitter share button
  • Kakao share button
  • Mail share button
  • Link share button
On the left is Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor opposition Justice Party at a plenary session at the National Assembly, Tuesday. Ryu's short pink dress stirred controversy but many lawmakers expressed their support for Ryu's challenging of old practices in which the majority wear business suits. On the right is former lawmaker Ryu Si-min who also triggered an impropriety controversy for wearing white-color pants at a plenary session of the 16th National Assembly in 2003. Yonhap
On the left is Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor opposition Justice Party at a plenary session at the National Assembly, Tuesday. Ryu's short pink dress stirred controversy but many lawmakers expressed their support for Ryu's challenging of old practices in which the majority wear business suits. On the right is former lawmaker Ryu Si-min who also triggered an impropriety controversy for wearing white-color pants at a plenary session of the 16th National Assembly in 2003. Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor opposition Justice Party is challenging old practices at the 21st National Assembly with her informal outfits.


The 27 year-old lawmaker's casual clothing choices such as jeans and a T-shirt, shorts and dresses have drawn attention at the National Assembly, where the majority of people dress in business attire.

Ryu's short pink dress, which she wore at a plenary session on Tuesday, has sparked controversy as members of some political communities criticized Ryu for her decision to wear what they described as an "improper" outfit at an official gathering of the Assembly.

Some even left sexually discriminatory remarks. One online user of a political community posted her picture at the plenary session and wrote, "Did she come to the plenary session to collect money for drinks?" implying that Ryu's dress gave her the appearance of a bar hostess or prostitute.

Ryu, however, dismissed such criticism saying in a radio interview, Thursday, "I do not think the National Assembly's authority comes from the suits. We can establish authority when we work for the people." She said she wanted to challenge old practices at the National Assembly by wearing casual clothing.

"People say the National Assembly is male-dominated, especially by men in their 50s. I wanted to challenge old practices of the National Assembly which is symbolized by dark-colored suits and neck ties," Ryu said.

Ryu said she and other young lawmakers at a youth forum held a day before the plenary session said that they would wear the same clothes they were at the forum at the plenary session. They were all wearing casual clothing at the forum as they meet with members of the public including young people.

Ryu also said that lawmakers should be allowed to wear any clothes in which they can work, as only some of the people the lawmakers were elected to represent are white-collar workers who wear suits.

"The National Assembly is also a work place… I previously worked in the IT industry and there were few people wearing business suits," she said.

Other lawmakers also expressed support for Ryu's decision to wear informal outfits to work.

Justice Party leader Rep. Sim Sang-jung wrote on her Facebook, "Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of our party had a hard day yesterday. I feel like wearing a dress this morning," adding dresses are worn by many female office workers and the National Assembly is the "office" of lawmakers. "I ask people to support lawmakers to actively work at the Assembly wearing outfits that represent their individuality."

Rep. Yang Hyang-ja of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said in a radio interview that she felt regret over the situation in which a female lawmaker's outfits brought controversy. "It is quite regretful that a woman became an object of such controversy," Yang said.

Another DPK lawmaker Rep. Ko Min-jung also expressed support for Ryu saying, "I do not agree with all Ryu's opinions, but I cannot agree with the excessive criticism she is receiving for her outfit. I want to thank Ryu for challenging the National Assembly's excessive authoritarianism."

Other male lawmakers also expressed their support for Ryu.

DPK five-term lawmaker Rep. An Min-suk wrote on his Facebook: "A ggondae who is spending his 17th year at the National Assembly supports Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong. Former lawmaker Ryu Si-min's white-color pants were not a problem and Ryu's jeans and dress were not a problem."


Ggondae is a recently coined word among young Koreans meaning older men who try to force "outdated" ideas onto the younger generation with which they are deeply out of touch. An was also referring to a past controversy 17 years ago over former lawmaker Ryu Shi-min's wearing of white pants at a plenary session of the 16th National Assembly.

"Ggondae" means an older conservative man.






Jung Da-min damin.jung@koreatimes.co.kr


X
CLOSE

Top 10 Stories

go top LETTER