Global InformationHyehwa Station Protest information
| Hyehwa Station Protests | |
|---|---|
| Part of the feminist movement in South Korea | |
 Hyehwa Station Exit No. 2, where the first protests were held | |
| Date | May 19, 2018 – October 6, 2018 |
| Location | Seoul, South Korea |
| Caused by |
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| Goals |
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| Methods | Rallying, picketing |
| Status | "Suspended" since 6 October 2018 |
The Hyehwa Station protests were a series of feminist protest rallies held mostly in 2018 at Hyehwa Station in Seoul, South Korea. The protests, which started on 19 May 2018, were against sexism, misogyny, and hidden camera voyeurism (known in South Korea as molka), and aimed to spark reformation of the judiciary system, particularly its handling of sex crimes, which organizers believed favors men.[1] The protests were the largest feminist protests in South Korea, reaching 110,000 demonstrators by December 2018.[2][3][4] Not all protests were held at Hyehwa Station; some were also held at Gwanghwamun Plaza.[3][4] Further protests were held throughout 2019 following other high-profile sex crimes, including the Burning Sun scandal.[5][6]
The protests were sparked after a woman was arrested for secretly photographing and doxing a male nude model following a dispute between them during a Hongik University art class. Activists alleged the investigation proved there were double standards in the National Police Agency, arguing that police only made a quick investigation and arrest because the victim was a male and the perpetrator was a female.[7][8][9]
The protests were met with mixed reception by the South Korean media and public, who mostly agreed with the primary goal of the protests but disagreed with extremist ideas and phrases used by some protesters. Male protesters and reporters were not allowed to attend the protests, which were intended for "biological women" only. Some commentators noted what could be considered reverse sexism from the protesters. The Government of South Korea denied the protesters' allegations of bias and double standards in the police and judicial systems. President Moon Jae-in, who was heavily criticized by the protesters for his inaction on feminist causes, also denied bias in the investigative processes.[1]
- ^ a b "정현백 장관 "혜화역 시위 생생한 목소리 잊지 않을 것" 구설..'문재인 재기해' 구호도?". Naver News. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Women gather to protest biased investigations into hidden-camera incidents". The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Largest anti-gender discrimination rally held". The Korea Times. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:6was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ ""약물 카르텔 근절하라"…혜화역에 다시 모인 여성들". KBS News (in Korean). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ^ Jeong, Sophie; Griffiths, James (20 March 2019). "Hundreds of South Korean motel guests were secretly filmed and live-streamed online". CNN. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Spycam porn protesters speak out against male-centered ruling". The Korea Times. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "'남성판 미투'…홍대 누드모델 몰카 사생대회 연 워마드". Naver News. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ ""여자라서 구속하나"… 性대결로 번지는 홍대 누드몰카". Naver News. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2022.