Hyehwa Station Protest

The Hyehwa Station protests were a series of feminist protest rallies held mostly in 2018 at Hyehwa Station in Seoul, South Korea. The protests, which started on 19 May 2018, were against sexism, misogyny, and hidden camera voyeurism (known in South Korea as molka), and aimed to spark reformation of the judiciary system, particularly its handling of sex crimes, which organizers believed favors men. The protests were the largest feminist protests in South Korea, reaching 110,000 demonstrators by December 2018. Not all protests were held at Hyehwa Station; some were also held at Gwanghwamun Plaza. Further protests were held throughout 2019 following other high-profile sex crimes, including the Burning Sun scandal.

The protests were sparked after a woman was arrested for secretly photographing and doxing a male nude model following a dispute between them during a Hongik University art class. Activists alleged the investigation proved there were double standards in the National Police Agency, arguing that police only made a quick investigation and arrest because the victim was a male and the perpetrator was a female.

The protests were met with mixed reception by the South Korean media and public, who mostly agreed with the primary goal of the protests but disagreed with extremist ideas and phrases used by some protesters. Male protesters and reporters were not allowed to attend the protests, which were intended for "biological women" only. Some commentators noted what could be considered reverse sexism from the protesters. The Government of South Korea denied the protesters' allegations of bias and double standards in the police and judicial systems. President Moon Jae-in, who was heavily criticized by the protesters for his inaction on feminist causes, also denied bias in the investigative processes.