Feminism's goal is coexistence, says retiring Yonsei professor

Naim Yun-kyung, a professor of cultural anthropology at Yonsei University, is set to retire, marking the end of a distinguished career dedicated to feminist scholarship and critical pedagogy. Known for her insightful analyses of gender, power, and societal structures, Professor Naim has consistently challenged conventional norms and encouraged critical thinking among her students.

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Students say, 'We are in our 20s, what power do we have?' But it is also the teacher's job to make them realize what privileges they hold. The methodology to use then is feminism. The deconstruction of power is the academic core of feminism.

Her academic work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how gender is constructed, particularly in South Korea. Her book, "The Birth of Woman" (2005), explored the societal processes that shape female identity and achieved considerable popularity. More recently, "Sense of Fairness" (2023) examined the concept of fairness among young Koreans, questioning their perceived notions of justice and privilege.

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I thought now is the time to step down. Because I must leave, younger professors can come in. These students were 10 years old during the Sewol ferry disaster. Feminism is a scholarship about life, and I felt it might become more difficult as the episodes I can share with students decrease.

Professor Naim's career has not been without controversy. She faced a defamation lawsuit and a civil suit for damages from Korail after publishing critical columns about the company's mass layoffs of KTX train attendants. Despite these challenges, she was ultimately cleared of charges. Later, as head of the Korean Women's Development Institute, she encountered backlash for a gender sensitivity training video that some criticized for portraying men as potential perpetrators.

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This body can disappear, but I will remain remembered in someone's mind. I thought it's important to live better in the 'now,' so even while sick, I paid attention to various things.

Reflecting on her career, Professor Naim expressed a desire to step down to make way for younger academics. She noted that the generational gap in shared experiences, particularly concerning events like the Sewol ferry disaster, made it increasingly challenging to connect with younger students on certain topics. However, she remains committed to the principles of feminism as a "scholarship of life" and aims to foster self-reflection rather than simple enlightenment.

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When I experienced feminist backlash, I thought it was very unfair, but at the same time, I wondered if I had effectively conveyed the way of thinking of feminism. I resolved to teach feminism as a scholarship of self-reflection, not enlightenment.