Because nothing brings more viewers to your sport than the chance to watch women struggling to do their jobs in clothes they hate.
Estimated reading and viewing time: 4 minutes.
My translation of the transcript for this KBS news report:
학교뿐 아니라 스포츠계의 성 문제도 참 끝이 없습니다.
대한당구연맹이 여성 심판들에게 치마를 입으라고 지시했습니다.
왜 그런 지시를 했냐고 물었더니 치마를 입으면 반응이 좋았다는 황당한 답변을 했다고 합니다.
방준원 기자입니다.
It’s not just in schools, but also in the world of sports where there’s no end to problems of sexual discrimination and harassment.
The Korean Billiards Federation has ordered its female referees to wear skirts.
When asked why, the ridiculous response was that this gets a favorable reaction [from audiences].
Bang Jun-won reports.
[리포트] 국제 당구대회 여성심판, 당구공의 이물질을 닦고, 공 위치를 확인하는 등 당구대에 바짝 붙어야는 경우가 많습니다.
치마가 불편할 수밖에 없습니다.
Reporter Bang: In international billiard competitions, it is often necessary for referees to clean the balls of any foreign substances and to check their positions, requiring them to always stand close to the table. This is uncomfortable and inconvenient to do in a skirt.
[류지원/당구연맹 심판 : “공 튀어가면 가서 잡고, 닦아서 포인트 있는 부분에 재배치를 해야 해요. 그러면 치마를 입으면 엎드렸을 때 뒤가 어떻게 될까요?”]
Referee Ryu Ji-won: “When a ball comes off the table, we have to grab it [from the floor], wipe it, and put it back in the correct position on the table, [which often requires lying over it to reach]. How are we expected to do all this in a skirt?”
보통 바지를 입던 여성 심판들이 치마를 입기 시작한 건 2017년부터입니다.
당구연맹의 복장 규정은 변한 게 없는데, 이유는 심판위원장 때문이었습니다.
2017년 취임한 심판위원장 권 모 씨가 여성 심판들은 치마를 입으라고 지시한 겁니다.
Normally, female referees wore pants, but this changed from 2017. Not because of any changes in the federation’s rules regarding attire, but because of a demand by newly-appointed referee chairperson Kwon (probably a man, but this is not indicated—James).
Source: Topstarnews
권 씨가 보낸 SNS 메시지입니다.
‘여자심판은 스커트를 준비하라’ ‘녹화방송에 여자 스커트는 필수’라고 합니다.
스커트를 안 입으면 주심 대신 부심만 할 거라고 강조하기도 했습니다.
현직 심판 류지원 씨는 치마 입기를 거부했습니다.
그 뒤 주요 경기에서 배제됐고, 전국대회 15회 참가 정지 제재도 받았습니다.
The demand was announced via social networking services. “Female referees prepare skirts; they will now be required for all games that are broadcast” it said. It went on to stress that “Female referees that do not comply will be demoted to assistant referees.”
Ryu Ji-won refused. For this she was punished during the 15th National Championships.
[류지원/당구연맹 심판 : “(16강 경기부터)딱 1경기 주심으로 배치가 되고, 나머지는 다 부심이었고, 그나마 결승 준결승 경기에는 아예 포함도 안 됐어요.”]
Referee Ryu Ji-won: During the quarter finals, I was only allowed to be referee for one game, being demoted to assistant referee in the others. I was also completely excluded from the semi-finals and finals.
심판위원장에게 치마 복장을 지시한 이유를 물었습니다.
[권○○/당구연맹 심판위원장/음성변조 : “처음 (치마) 착용하고 난 이후에 주변 반응이 너무 좋았기 때문에, 착용했던 심판들이 따로 요청한 것도 있고.”]
권 위원장은 당구 심판이 치마를 입었던 사례가 있어 제의했던 것뿐이라고 추가로 해명했습니다. 류 씨는 권 위원장을 협박 혐의로 고소했습니다.
Chairperson Kwon was asked the reason for the new dress requirement. They replied: “The first time we tried this, the reaction was very positive. Because of that, the female referees themselves made the recommendation,” further explaining that “that was the only reason for this new requirement.”
Ryu is now suing Kwon for intimidation. (End)
Hat tip: 젠더 뉴스 읽기@readinggendernews
Related posts:
- Being Able to Wear Glasses Was a Crucial Step for Korea’s Anchorwomen. Now, Let’s Give Them a Chance to SPEAK as Much as Anchormen Too.
- How Slut-Shaming and Victim-Blaming Begin in Korean Schools
- Free The Nipple in Korea? Why Not? Uncovering the history of a taboo
If you reside in South Korea, you can donate via wire transfer: Turnbull James Edward (Kookmin Bank/국민은행, 563401-01-214324)
The Grand Narrative 