Lee Su-jeong: "Apology Alone Insufficient for Sexual Misconduct in Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk's Office"...Calls for Disclosure of Case Handling Process

Lee Su-jeong, chairwoman of the Suwon district branch committee of the People Power Party, called for full disclosure of the case handling process regarding a sexual misconduct incident involving a former Grade 4 aide in Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk of the Democratic Party of Korea from the same district.

Chairman Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 23rd and criticized Rep. Kim's response, saying, "It must be clarified whether the National Assembly Administration Service was notified of the case before accepting the perpetrator's resignation, whether it was referred to the grievance handling procedure, and whether direct dismissal was considered."

Previously, on July 9, the Criminal Division 13 of the Suwon District Court sentenced former Grade 4 aide A of Rep. Kim's office to 2 years and 8 months in prison on charges including abuse of authority in the course of duty and quasi-rape. A has appealed, and the second trial is currently ongoing.

According to the court's decision, A is accused of sexually harassing and quasi-raping a 20-something female intern B from the same office at a lodging facility in Suwon on May 7 of last year. It was discovered that A acted as if he could exert influence over the victim's hiring and personnel affairs by citing his long-standing relationship with Rep. Kim.

Chairman Lee stated, "The perpetrator is Rep. Kim's elementary and high school classmate and former director of the general election campaign headquarters," adding, "The basis for the coercive authority acknowledged by the court was precisely their relationship."

She particularly raised an issue with the fact that both the victim and perpetrator left the office the day after the incident.

She stated, "The victim informed a senior aide of the harm and expressed her intention to resign, and the perpetrator also resigned on the same day," emphasizing that "Rep. Kim should have guaranteed the victim's remaining internship period, separated her from the perpetrator, and helped her regain stability."

Regarding the manner of processing the perpetrator's resignation, she argued, "There was an option to withhold acceptance of the resignation and request direct dismissal through the National Assembly Administration Service's sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance handling procedures."

She further stated, "The perpetrator's voluntary resignation was considered a favorable sentencing factor in the first trial judgment," criticizing that "the office's acceptance of the resignation ultimately worked in favor of the perpetrator."

Chairman Lee also demanded disclosure of whether the case was reported in accordance with the Sexual Violence Prevention Act and whether preventive measures were submitted. She also raised suspicions that the perpetrator participated in a local election campaign for a basic local government position in June local elections after leaving the office, questioning whether Rep. Kim was aware in advance.

Regarding Rep. Kim's apology through social media on the 22nd, acknowledging his responsibility for staff management, she said, "The apology came only after media reports 1 year and 5 months after the incident," emphasizing that "it must be clarified what victim protection measures and preventive plans were established during that time."

Finally, Chairman Lee demanded that Rep. Kim disclose the circumstances of the perpetrator's appointment and actions taken after the incident, while also urging the Democratic Party's central party and Gyeonggi Province branch to conduct party-level investigations and establish preventive measures.

Chairman Lee stated, "Sexual crimes are not a partisan issue," adding, "This is not a matter that should end with an individual legislator's apology statement."

She also pointed out that Rep. Kim apologized only on the 22nd, 1 year and 5 months after the incident, following media reports, urging that "it must be specifically clarified what victim protection measures and preventive measures were established during that time."

She further demanded that Rep. Kim disclose the circumstances of the perpetrator's appointment and actions taken after the incident, while urging the Democratic Party's central party and Gyeonggi Province branch to conduct party-level investigations and establish preventive measures.

Chairman Lee emphasized, "Sexual crimes are not a partisan issue," stating, "This is not a matter that should end with an individual legislator's apology statement."

Meanwhile, Rep. Kim released a statement through his social media on the 22nd, the previous day, saying, "Regardless of the circumstances, I sincerely apologize to voters and the public for causing concern due to the unfortunate conduct of a former member of our office."

He continued, "I bear great responsibility for failing to thoroughly manage the staff working with me," and "I sincerely apologize to the victim and their family members who have suffered great pain."