Sung Jae-gi(Korean:성재기[səːŋdʑɛgi];September 11, 1967 – July 26, 2013) was a South Koreanmen's rights activist.Sung founded and was the first chairman ofMan of Korea,a men's rights group advocating the abolition of theMinistry of Gender Equality and Family—whose Korean name (여성부; nữ tính bộ ) translates as "Ministry of Women" —and demanded compensation for the South Korean military-service requirement.[1]
Sung Jae-gi | |
|---|---|
 Sung in 2013 | |
| Born | September 11, 1967 |
| Died | July 26, 2013(aged 45) |
| Cause of death | Suicidebydrowning |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Other names | Shimheon, Chongjuk, Blue Wolf (pen name) |
| Alma mater | Yeungnam University |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Hangul | 성재기 |
| Hanja | Thành ở cơ |
| Revised Romanization | Seong Jaegi |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏng Chaegi |
| Website | Twitter account |
During the early 21st century, Sung led the South Korean anti-feminist movement opposing female-preferential policies. In early adulthood he was a businessman, and in October 1999 he participated in the movement opposing the abolition of preferential treatment for discharged soldiers. Sung opposed the abolition of theHojusystem, and later participated in men's-rights activities. In 2006 he founded the Association of Anti-Feminism and Male Liberation. In 2007 he founded the Association for the Abolition of the Ministry of Women. The following year, Sung foundedMan of Koreaand was its chairman from 2008 until his death in 2013. His business activities included a nightclub and a consulting andexecutive searchcompany.
From 1999 until his death Sung argued for the restoration of the Korean Army bonus points system (군가산점 제도). During the early 2010s he was an activist for the abolition of women-only facilities.[2]In 2011, he began offering assistance and counseling to battered husbands, househusbands, teenage runaways and male and child victims of violent crime. Sung opened a shelter for homeless persons, male victims of violent crime, teenage runaways and gay and transgender people. From 1999 to 2013, Sung was part of theliberalmovement and the movement to abolish the women's special-benefits policy.
Near the end of his life Sung was reportedly up to ₩100 million in debt. On July 25, 2013 he posted on the Man of Korea website his intention to commit suicide.[3]The next day, Sung jumped from theMapo Bridgein Seoul. His body was found four days later.[4]
Sung wrote under the pen names Blue Wolf (Korean:푸른늑대), Tongbalbass (Korean:똥발바쓰) and Tongbal (Korean:똥발), and his nickname was Shimheon (심헌 thẩm hiên or 심헌 tâm hiên ), Chongjuk(청죽 thanh trúc ). chinese name was Im-sung(임성 lâm thánh[5]). His family is part of the Changnyeong Sung clan (창녕성씨 xương ninh thành thị ).
Early life
editSung was born inDaeguon September 11, 1967. His father was wealthy, and his one uncle was a police officer in Daegu. During his youth, he developedmasculinityandmachismo.[6]Sung became hostile, and was repulsed by traditional masculine behavior. In adolescence he became convinced of the need for men's liberation: "I was so grown, but nowadays teenage and 20, 30s young men are not like that. They tell another if it hurts, 'I am sick', tell another if they're tired, 'I am tired'.[6]
At that time Sung became conscious of authority, developed a loathing for thepatriarchalsystem and complained that South Korean society treated males cruelly. After graduating fromDaegu High School,he began studying economics atYeungnam Universityin 1985[7]and graduated in February 1993.
Young adulthood
editIn 1987, Sung joined the South Korean Army and served with the 3rd Infantry Division (육군 제3보병사단 lục quân bước thứ ba binh sư đoàn ) inCheolwon(Gangwon Province)[6]until 1990. He spent his early twenties as an insurance salesman, briefly managing his own business.[8]In 2006, he operated a night club in Daegu.[9]From August 26 to November 30 of that year, Sung worked for the Thomas McFly Consulting and Headhunting Company (토마스 맥플라이 컨설팅 & 헤드헌팅사) in theEastern District of Daegubefore resigning to continue his human-rights campaigns.
During the early 2000s, Sung joined the South Korean men's rights movement and campaigned for a variety of causes. On November 26, 2006 he founded the Association of Anti-Feminism for the Liberation of Men (Korean:반페미니즘남성해방연대), and on January 4, 2007 he founded the Association for the Abolition of the Ministry of Women (Korean:여성부폐지운동본부,Nữ tính bộ bãi bỏ vận động bản bộ ). In 2013, both groups had several thousand members.[10]
Sung campaigned for the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in the2002and2007presidential elections, questioning its justification.[11]After the 2000s Sung emphasized personal values, individual rights and the right to privacy in his speeches, saying that personal values are God-given rights. He later led a campaign to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality.[12]
In August 1994 Sung married Park Eun-kyong, aninternistand professor at the College of Medicine ofChung-ang University.They had two daughters.
Criticisms, including pornography control
editIn 1999 Sung opposed abolishing the South Korean military's bonus-points system (군 가산점; quân thêm tính điểm )[13]and military veterans' compensation, and supported the abolition of the South Korean female quota (여성 할당제; nữ tính cắt đương chế ) and female employment quota systems (여성고용할당제; nữ tính thuê cắt đương chế ). From 2004 to January 2005, he unsuccessfully opposed the abolition of theHojusystem (호주제 chủ hộ chế ). Sung advocated the resurrection of the South Korean military bonus-points system and the abolition of female quotas until his death.
Railing against what he saw asfemale chauvinismand Koreantotalitarianism,he argued against reverse discrimination, said "Men are humans", objected to unilateral obligations and responsibilities imposed on Korean men and advocated men's liberation. According to Sung, "The oppressive measures on pornography by the Korean government are totally insane... It is actually seen that it oppressesmasculinityand that it distorts the essentials. It is all done by the Ministry of Gender Equality and women’s organizations led by Korean feminists. "[14]He argued that the totalitarianism of a few female chauvinists excessively suppressed male sexuality, the arts, pop culture and freedom of expression and thought.
Comparing South Korean government policies toprohibition in the United States,Sung said that restrictingpornographyhad undesirable side effects and labeled normal men as sex offenders. He encouraged self-examination to overcome sexualPuritanism:"You will understand easily if you know a bit about men’s sexual mechanism. Pornography itself can ease and satisfy men’s sexual impulses."[14]Long criticized for his beliefs, Sung called South Korean policy excessively moralistic and overprotective of women and some South Korean politicians unrealistic and incompetent.
Movement to protect military bonus points system
editFrom August 1999 to 2001, Sung advocated the protection of the South Korean military's bonus-points system and had a small number of sympathizers. In October 2001 the system was found unconstitutional and repealed, with Sung advocating its reconstruction: "What is my duty? Do you know why Man of Korea started? Because in 1999 military bonus points were abolished! Because of the excuse of gender equality for threatening national security."[15]
Sung long argued for the "resuscitation of military bonus points",[16]reviving a reconstruction movement for the Korean military bonus-points system in 2011.[17]He participated in civil-rights andmasculistactivities,[18]leading a male-liberation movement. Sung requested compensation for his mandatory South Korean military service until his death.
Men's rights movements
editFathers' rights movement
editFrom 2004 to January 2005 Sung supported theHojusystem, reasoning that the system supported the last rights of fathers. Feeling that the system had symbolic meaning for fathers and families, he argued with South Koreanradical feministson the Internet. The Hoju system was abolished in January 2005, and Sung advocated its revival until his death.
He long criticized the Ministry of Gender Equality. On December 12, 2012, Sung told presidential candidate Park Geun-hye that to "recover lost fathers' rights is the way for my family's happiness".[19]
Male protection
editFrom 2008 until his death, Sung was protective of weak men and disadvantaged,gayand transgender people and advocated for the protection of male and young victims of domestic violence. He opened male-protection facilities,[20]the first on January 26, 2008 in Samsung-dong,Gangnam-gu.
Sung supported refuges in Samseong-dong in Gangnam-gu, Seokcheon-dong inSongpa-guand Yeongdeungpo-dong inYeongdeungpo-gu,Seoul. He opposed racism and discrimination against minorities, male victims of crime, the weak and sexual minorities. Sung encouraged the recognition ofhomophobia,emphasizing that sexuality is personal,[21]and provided accommodations and job placement for homeless, unemployed young male runaways and gay and transgender people.[22]He opened the Man of Korea headquarters as a shelter on May 1, 2012.
Men's rights
editOn January 24, 2011, Sung opened a free facility in Samseong-dong,Gangnam-gu,Seoul for runaway husbands, young deported men, runaway teenage boys andhomelessmen. After a slow start, the facility took in an increasing number of people.[23]
Pornography advocacy
editSung opposed crackdowns on pornography[24]until his death, arguing that it reduced the number of sex crimes.[25]
According to Sung, pornography was necessary for economically- and physically-unattractive men. At a November 12, 2011 debate entitled "How Should We Regulate Child Pornography?" hosted by Choi Min-hee of the Democratic United Party at the National Assembly building inYeouido,Seoul,[26]Sung said: "Who are those crazy beings who oppose the protection of children and teens against sex crimes?... The problem is the Burberry men [exhibitionists]. We should catch them, and not just make them not wear Burberry trench coats."[26]Sung became an overnight hero to malenetizensfor defending online pornography and masturbation as benign.[26]
During a public hearing of the National Assembly that day, Sung criticized the Ministry of Gender Equality: "For those people who don't even understand the mechanisms of the male sex, what Youth Sex Protection Law do you want? What law do you want to be made?... Who are those crazy beings who oppose the protection of children and teens against sex crimes? Of course our priority is to protect kids and teens against sexual offenses. Have any of you watched porn before? Have you watched porn to masturbate? Yes or no? But let me ask you one thing: is your goal to protect children and teenager from sexual offences? or is it to suppress every man’s sexual desire and control his guilt?"[26]
He continued, saying "Female exposure is not the cause of one’s sex drive, and is not the cause of sex offenses, and yet animated porn becomes the cause of a man’s sex crimes? Please stop making such bullshit claims! I don’t know about other men, but isn’t this nonsense? I too watch porn! And you know why?".[26]
He said that pornography was "a means for a man to ease his sex drive, relieve himself, and excrete his load. So because porn amplifies a man’s sex drive, this makes him go outside, find a new victim and commit a new sex crime? Please stop romanticizing the whole thing!"[26]
According to Sung, "Just 20 years ago, women would go to the pharmacy and hide their sanitary pads in newspaper and buy them as if they were drugs. But 20 years later, Korean women’s sanitary pads are in your face, and they even have a menstruation festival... Had men not acknowledged and understood femininity, do you think this would have been possible?"[26]
Man of Korea
editFounding
editOn January 26, 2008, Sung foundedMan of Korea(Korean:남성연대,Nam tính liên mang )[27]inGangnam-gu,Seoul to promote men's rights, saying that men could be considered a minority in South Korean society. He publicly disparaged women and worked to abolishmenstrual leaveand other policies for working women.[28]Opponents said that Sung's work to support the rights of men was misplaced because South Korea is a male-dominated society.[28][29]
During the2012 Korean presidential electionSung suggested abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family,[30]denying that women are a social minority and accusing Korean society of discriminating against men.[31]He controversially posted on his Twitter account, "Korean women, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you making such a fuss about menstruating when the nation’s birthrate is the lowest in the world?"[31]
White Stockings Campaign
editSung mocked the White Tie Campaign organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, saying that the campaign supported prostitution (although he was said to have supported prostitution).[32]On November 28–29, 2011, Man of Korea launched their "White Stockings Campaign" in an email to members.
The email claimed that the campaign was supported by the ministry,[33]but the campaign lampooned the ministry's support program for former prostitutes. Man of Korea claimed that under the ministry plan, former prostitutes would receive job training at support centers and the ministry would give them₩410,000 per month and legal and medical services for up to three years.[33]
Sung was criticized for his support of prostitution and said on November 30, "We wanted to show that the ministry’s support program for former prostitutes is not effective. The ministry spends about 11-12 billion won per year on the program. But such support is given to any women who claim they were prostitutes, and the ministry is unable to verify whether they were really engaged in the sex trade or not". His view that prostitutes were not victims contrasted with that of South Korean feminists, and he opposed treating female prostitution as a crime.[34]
Menstrual-leave criticism
editSung criticized South Korean menstrual leave as sexist, arguing that it was unnecessary for most women since it protected motherhood.[35]On October 3, 2012, he controversially posted on his Twitter account: "You [Korean women] should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you making such a fuss about menstruating when the nation's birthrate is the lowest in the world?"[35][10]In a January 2013 report by Alio, a website compiling management information in the public sector, 9.1 percent (272 out of 2,993) executive jobs in government departments and public firms were held by women and over half of the organizations had no female board members.[29]
Death and impact
editPreparation
editIn early July 2013, Sung's wife briefly left him.[36]On July 25, he declared himself a victim of reverse discrimination and announced his intention to commit suicide. Sung jumped from theMapo Bridgeinto theHan River,leaving a note saying that he would risk his life to raise ₩100 million (about $94,000) in donations to pay debts owed by Man of Korea.[37]
He posted on the organization's website, "Dear citizens, I plan to jump off a bridge over the Han River. I hope you give us a last chance. Please lend us 100 million won which will be used for paying back debt and seed money of our organization".[38]Sung's announcement was met with indifference.[39]"Ridiculous. He is begging for money and he’s holding himself as a hostage",[39]read a post on the Man of Korea homepage. Another read, "Threat fund-raiser? That’s creative. Just jump off the bridge like you promised".[39]
Sung later said that he did not intend to commit suicide, but wanted to draw attention to his group; he would jump, whether or not he received the money.[39]He posted on Twitter, "Why do you all assume that jumping off the bridge will kill me? I have complete confidence in my survival",[39]and later said: "Please regard my actions as 'trying to be less pathetic' while asking for money".[39]Some Man of Korea members and other supporters were concerned about the jump.[40]
Jump
editSung repeated his intention to survive the jump, saying that thebulgogiparty scheduled for 7 pm in his office that day was still on. "That’s why I said I’ll jump BEFORE 7 o’clock. Let’s eat bulgogi", he said. Before Sung jumped off the bridge, he wrote "I'm confident that I can survive". He checked the depth of the water before he jumped, and arranged for a lifeguard to watch the jump. However, he acknowledged the risk: "If something goes wrong with me, the Secretary General will succeed me as the representative of the association. Please remember me even if my lame attempt fails."[41]He left a note:
Dear citizens, ever since the mid-1980s when gender-equality issues came into public awareness, our country has been focusing on overhauling laws, policies and social systems to improve women’s rights and status. We have our first female president. More women pass major government service exams than men. Female ROTCs command conscripted male soldiers. Women surpassed men in university entrance rates and youth employment rates years ago. Despite this, men are still seen as superior while women are seen are "socially weak".
Dear citizens, While everyone else was speaking on behalf of women, Man of Korea started to speak for men. We began our group online in January 2008, and launched a formal civic group in March 2011. We have been treading a thorny path filled with mockery and ridicule. When we said excessive privileges for women should be distributed to men too, we were called male chauvinists. When we said men and women should share equal expenses and we should create an environment where men can also be house husbands, we were called losers. In this country, where discussing male rights is considered to be cheap gossip for losers and you have to discuss national politics to be taken seriously, Man of Korea has been marginalized.
We would like to say that men can also be weak. We wanted to point out that if the gender you were born with determines your rights, privileges and duties, we will never achieve equality. We wanted to say that it is important to create a society where men and women stand on an equal footing and can understand and respect each other. We wanted to talk about the equality of every human beyond gender equality.[42]
On July 26, 2013, Sung took a taxi fromYeongdeungpotoMapo DistrictwithHan Seung-oh,Lee Ji-hun and five other people. Although he was accompanied by two lifeguards, it had rained heavily that day and the day before. At 3:00 pm, Sung jumped from the Mapo Bridge.[43]
Rescue efforts began at about 3:20 pm, and a broad search of the Han River was conducted.[43]Although about 30 firefighters and a helicopter searched near the Mapo Bridge, he was not found by 9 pm Friday and the search was suspended for the night.[38][44]About 50 firefighters from the Yeongdeungpo Fire Station, one helicopter and three rescue boats continued the search Saturday and Sunday; six ambulances stood by.[12]
Sung's body was found near the south end of theSeogang Bridge,connectingYeouidoto northern Seoul, on July 29.[45] He was barefoot, and his white shirt and dark-gray pants were what he was wearing when he jumped.[45]On August 1, Sung was cremated and his ashes buried in a crypt in the Gyongsan Park Cemetery (경산 공원 묘원) in Namchon (남천면),Gyeongsan,North Gyeongsang.[46]There was a reported month-long increase in copycat suicides in August 2013.[47]
Legacy
editAccording to theKorea Times,the online grief and rage were misplaced.[48]Han Seung-oh,Sung's nominated successor and a founding member of Man of Korea, called Sung's jump a "risky stunt" to raise ₩100 million for the organization.[12]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^'마포대교 투신' 남성연대 성재기 대표 누구?머니투데이 2013.07.26(in Korean)
- ^여성전용 흡연구역?… “남성 역차별 아니냐” 시끌동아일보 2013.04.04(in Korean)
- ^"남성연대 성재기, 한강투신 예고…" 1억 빌려달라 "(전문 포함)".
- ^'Avengers' add to Mapo Bridge's strange historyKoreatimes 2014.03.30
- ^meaning is "Come to holy"
- ^abc[전문공개] 남성연대 성재기를 만나다The Ddanjinews
- ^여성가족부 상대 ‘가족’ 명칭 사용금지 가처분신청…남성연대 성재기 대표The Dongah 2012.01.09(in Korean)
- ^“남성-가장 위한 정책은 없는데 가족 bộ 라뇨”동아일보 2012.01.09(in Korean)
- ^그는 제2의 ‘미시마 유키오’가 되고자 했나The Hankyeorye 2013.08.02(in Korean)
- ^ab[예고 투신] 성재기 남성연대 대표, 그는 누구?etoday 2013.07.29(in Korean)
- ^TVN ‘쿨까당’으로 본 여성가족부 존치 논란NSP통신(in Korean)
- ^abcActivist missing for 3rd daykoreatimes 2013.07.28
- ^성재기, 강용석 NLL 발언에 "욕 좀 하겠다"Newsone, July 5, 2013
- ^ab[Voice] Should pornography be censored?Koreaharald 2012.12.17
- ^성재기, 강용석 NLL 발언에 욕설…'급 사과'SBS 2013.07.05(in Korean)
- ^부채 떠안고 한강서 투신한 성재기, 그는 누구?아주경제 2013.07.29(in Korean)
- ^‘한강 투신’ 성재기는 누구? “여가부 폐지·군 가산점 부활” 운동The Dongah 2013.07.29(in Korean)
- ^성재기, 강용석 NLL 발언에 "XX놈아" 욕설 비난 '파장'The Chosun 2013.07.05(in Korean)
- ^[위클리 트윗] 12월 7일 ~ 12월 13일한국일보 2012.12.13(in Korean)
- ^[예고 투신] 성재기 활동했던 ‘남성연대’는 어떤 단체?etoday 2013.07.29(in Korean)
- ^남성연대 "Cố 성재기 뜻 여성혐오 아냐…무분별한 비하 자제하자"pressbyple 2013.08.02(in Korean)
- ^그는 제2의 ‘미시마 유키오’가 되고자 했나Hangyeorye 2013.08.02(in Korean)
- ^[더딴지]남성연대 성재기를 만나다
- ^성재기, '대통령시 정상회담 때 비키니' 낸시랭과 화해Moneytoday 2012.12.05(in Korean)
- ^아청법 논란, 성재기 대표 "나도 야동 본다"Asianews 2012.12.14(in Korean)
- ^abcdefgActivist Says Porn Helps Men And is Unrelated to Crimeskoreabang November 19, 2012
- ^디도스 공격 10대 알고 보니 남성연대 trước 회원[permanent dead link]주간동아(in Korean)
- ^abControversial activist says will jump off bridge for cashThe Korea Herald 2013.07.25
- ^ab성재기, 한강서 진짜 뛰어... 마지막으로 남긴 트윗이코리아헤럴드 2013.07.26
- ^그는 왜 여성부 폐지에 '목숨'을 걸었나?The Moneytoday 2012.01.04(in Korean)
- ^abMenstrual leave ― an entitlement men rejectKoreatimes 2012.10.30
- ^'성매매 안하면 현금 41만원 입금' 내막 들여다보니...The Moneytoday 2011.11.29(in Korean)
- ^abAnti-sex buying campaign causes stirKorea times 2011.12.30
- ^성재기 "자발적 성매매 여성 처벌 위헌 제청은…"The Moneytoday 2013.01.10(in Korean)
- ^abMenstrual leave - an entitlement men rejectKoreatimes 2012.10.30
- ^'한강 투신 예고' 성재기가 대표인 '남성연대'는 어떤 단체?ArchivedJuly 15, 2014, at theWayback Machine한국경제 2013.07.25(in Korean)
- ^Han River rescue team struggles with increased suicide attemptsThe Hangyorye 2013.08.11
- ^abActivist's 'suicide' causes huge stirKoreatimes 2013.07.26
- ^abcdefControversial activist says will jump off bridge for cashThe Korea Herald 2013.07.25
- ^‘한강투신’ 성재기 실종…남성연대 “7시 불고기 파티 취소”동아일보 2013.07.26(in Korean)
- ^"Unknown".Archived fromthe originalon October 4, 2022.
- ^Male Rights Activist Dies in Publicity Stunt on Han River BridgeKoreabang August 1, 2013
- ^abSung jae gi threw himself to Han river and missingMBC News, 27 July 2013(in Korean)
- ^Search For Male Rights Activist ResumesThe Seoul TBS 2013.07.27
- ^abBody of male rights activist discoveredkoreatimes 2013.07.29
- ^남성연대 성재기 발인 "메시지 가슴에 새기겠다"Newsone 2013.08.01(in Korean)
- ^베르테르 효과, 평균 600여명 모방 자살… 최진실 때는 1008명 급증The Munhwa 2013.09.11(in Korean)
- ^Kim, Tong-hyung (August 6, 2013)."Nancy faked BBC invitation, Wonder Girl goes solo".The Korea Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2014.
External links
edit
- Sung Jae-gi's Twitter account(in Korean)
- Man of Korea Webpage/ 남성연대(in Korean)