Some 20 women held up purple pickets with messages depicting #MeToo and #Withyou as they stood before a masculine mask made of plaster with a contorted expression in Maronnier Park, Seoul on Thursday. The members of the Korean Women’s Drama Association gathered to criticize and reflect on sexual harassments prevalent in the theatre circles, including Lee Yoon-taek, art director of Theatre Troupe Georipae. The participants marched in silence for approximately 1 kilometer in the pouring rain, saying that they supported the ones who speak out and reflect on their behavior to remain idle.”
There were many who supported the #Metoo campaign nationwide in celebration of International Women’s Day. Supporters celebrated the designation of Women’s Day as a legal anniversary in Korea, and urged for the need to impose stricter punishment on sexual violence.
White roses, which stand for support and solidarity for sexual violence victims, were also frequently seen. It has become the symbol of support for the #Metoo campaign ever since women singers wore white roses on their attire at the Grammy Awards. Korea Women’s Hotline handed out 5,000 white roses from 11 a.m. throughout various points in Seoul. Women groups such as the Fire Femiaction and Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center held white roses as they held a rally at the Hongik University Subway Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul around 7 p.m.
Some 100 members of the Korea Federation of the YWCA marched for about 30 minutes from 1:30 p.m. in the Myeongdong area of Seoul, calling for strict investigation of sexual offenders. The March 8th Three O’clock STOP Planning Mission, created by 13 groups including the Korea Women Workers Association and attended by some 1,000 people, gathered at Gwanghwamun Square around 3 p.m. and called for eradication of sexual assault at work.
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