Hundreds rally in Seoul for women's political power on International Women's Day

Around 200 people gathered in downtown Seoul on Sunday to mark International Women's Day. The rally, organized by the Women's Party, called for stronger female representation in politics and stricter accountability for politicians accused of sexual crimes. Participants carried purple placards with demands for more women in elected roles. They urged political parties to nominate female candidates in greater numbers. Another key demand was the removal of lawmakers convicted of sexual offences. The Women's Party, South Korea's first feminist political group, was founded in 2020. Despite its advocacy work, it has yet to secure a seat in the National Assembly. Without parliamentary representation, the party has focused on protests, gender equality campaigns, and pushing for anti-discrimination laws. Sunday's event highlighted ongoing frustrations over misogyny in politics. The crowd emphasized the need for systemic change to ensure women's voices are heard in government decisions. The rally ended with calls for concrete action rather than symbolic gestures. Organizers stressed that greater female participation in elections remains a priority. The Women's Party continues to push for policy changes despite its lack of parliamentary seats.