국회 드레스 코드, 정의당 류호정 의원 '핑크 드레스'로 재점화<br /><br />A debate swirling around the attire a newly-elected politician has worn in Seoul's National Assembly - a red and white shirt dress - is one that has echoes in parliaments around the world.<br />That's because the dress code rules for elected officials - especially women - are not necessarily set in stone and sometimes lead to calls for a ban on entering the legislative chamber.<br />Is parliament not ready for a workplace red dress?<br />Our Lee Kyung-eun reports.<br />This pink dress has got South Koreans talking.<br />It's the dress worn by 27-year-old Justice Party representative Ryu Ho-jeong, the youngest lawmaker in the country.<br />Some say it is an act of courage and freedom.<br />But others claim it is an "improper" outfit for the parliament,... with some even making crude comments like "is she going on date?" or making a flood of misogynistic comments online.<br />In this debate over the "parliamentary dress code", which technically doesn't even exist,... some politicians have weighed in to show their support for Ryu.<br />"It's very wrong to attack her and if anyone makes sexually offensive comments, the person must be harshly criticized or punished."<br />Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung took to Facebook, saying "I thank Ryu for breaking the National Assembly's highly rigor and authoritarian culture."<br />And Justice Party leader Sim Sang-jung said "I feel like wearing a dress today. The parliament should be diverse, just as citizens are, so that it can better work for more people."<br />Ryu explained that the dress was part of an event from her youth forum,...to challenge the old practices of the male-dominant parliament.<br />But she said the debate needs to go further than the dress itself.<br />"For me, the parliament is a workplace. Those sexually assaulting comments I received for wearing a dress would be ordinary for many other female workers out there. These kinds of discrimination should no longer continue."<br />The controversy over the pink dress has led to it selling out on the brand's online mall, and similar dresses are being pumped out, named "the Ryu dress."<br />It has also sparked a wider public debate, and made people think more deeply about freedom and equality.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
