ABSTRACT
Almost all male Korean lawmakers proudly adorn the lapels of their jackets with a gold badge that signifies their membership in the National Assembly. For Koreans, becoming a member of the National Assembly not only signals a professional success for the individual but also enhances social prestige for the lawmaker's whole family. This chapter discusses the case of Kim Ch'ol-an, in which the whole chiban participated in the process of deciding she should run for a legislative seat. Kim Yun-dok, as a "political woman," took a special pride in having done it all—fulfilling traditional women's roles and actively participating in the tough male-dominated world of politics. The Virtuous Woman regards the traditional feminine role as her primary responsibility and fulfills her wifely and motherly duties.
