Feminist engagements with South Korea’s conscription discourse: A framing analysis

Abstract

Male-only conscription has long been a flashpoint in South Korea’s gender politics, frequently mobilized by anti-feminist actors to frame men as victims of reverse discrimination. Meanwhile, feminists are often portrayed as disinterested in conscription-related issues. This study challenges such portrayals by centering feminist voices in the conscription discourse through in-depth interviews with twelve self- identifying feminists. Findings reveal that while feminists broadly acknowledge the burdens of conscription on men, they simultaneously reject anti-feminist framings that weaponize the issue against women. Participants employed diverse action frames, ranging from oppositional arguments that criticized the weaponization of conscription by anti-feminists and the state’s further instrumentalization of the issue, to rights-based equality frames that presented female conscription as a potential path toward gender equality. Although some respondents preferred gender-neutral conscription to a voluntary model, most emphasized that without systemic reform, implementation of female conscription risked further reinforcing patriarchal institutions. Experiences of backlash and dismissal further contributed to perceived feminist disengagement, illustrating how conscription debates often marginalize feminist perspectives. Ultimately, by reframing the conscription discourse beyond binary gender conflict framework, this study underscores the diversity of feminist positions and highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue reflecting the complexity of marginalized perspectives.