Fact Check: An extreme fringe Feminist group in South Korea called WOMAD has advocated women cutting off all ties to men in what has been called the 4B movement

Fact Check: "An extreme fringe Feminist group in South Korea called WOMAD has advocated women cutting off all ties to men in what has been called the 4B movement"

What We Know

The claim refers to the 4B movement, a radical feminist initiative that originated in South Korea. The term "4B" stands for four Korean words that all begin with "bi," which translates to "no" in English. These four tenets are: refusal of heterosexual marriage (bihon), refusal of childbirth (bichulsan), refusal of dating (biyeonae), and rejection of heterosexual sexual relationships (bisekseu) (Wikipedia, The Cut).

The movement has gained traction among young women in South Korea, particularly in response to the country's patriarchal society and issues such as femicide and sexual violence. Many women involved in the 4B movement extend their rejection of men to include distancing themselves from male friends and family (The Cut, Rolling Stone).

WOMAD (Women Against Pornography) is a feminist organization that has been associated with the 4B movement, but it is not the sole entity advocating for these ideas. The 4B movement is characterized as radical and has been described as a response to systemic gender-based violence and societal pressures on women (Wikipedia, The Independent).

Analysis

The claim that WOMAD is an "extreme fringe" group advocating for women to cut off all ties to men is partially accurate. The 4B movement, which WOMAD is associated with, does indeed promote a lifestyle that includes rejecting relationships with men as a form of empowerment and self-determination. However, labeling the movement as "extreme fringe" may overlook the broader societal context and the significant number of women who resonate with its tenets.

The sources discussing the 4B movement, including articles from reputable outlets like The New York Times and Rolling Stone, provide insights into the motivations behind the movement, which stem from widespread issues of gender-based violence and societal expectations. The movement's growth reflects a reaction to these systemic problems rather than an isolated or fringe ideology.

Moreover, while WOMAD is indeed a part of this movement, it is essential to recognize that the 4B movement encompasses a wider range of participants and advocates, making it more than just a singular group. The framing of WOMAD as the primary advocate for the 4B movement may misrepresent the collective nature of the movement and its supporters (The Cut, A World Without Men).

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that an extreme fringe feminist group called WOMAD advocates for women to cut off all ties to men in the context of the 4B movement is partially true. The 4B movement does promote the rejection of relationships with men as a form of empowerment, and WOMAD is associated with this movement. However, labeling it as merely an "extreme fringe" group fails to acknowledge the broader societal issues that have led to the movement's emergence and the significant support it has garnered among women in South Korea.

Sources

1. 4B movement - Wikipedia
2. After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men - The New York Times
3. A World Without Men: Inside South Korea's 4B Movement - The Cut
4. 4B, 5B and 6B: The Feminist Movements That Are Saying "No" To Men In ... - Cultura Colectiva
5. 4B: What Korean Women Think of Movement Spreading to U.S. - Rolling Stone
6. Could South Korea's 4B movement undermine ... - The Independent
7. Refusing any kind of relationship with men just felt powerful - Scena9
8. A World Without Men: Inside South Korea's 4B Movement - Feminist Legal