"'MeToo Controversy' Won Jong-geon: 'I Will Return My Qualification as a Recruited Talent to the Democratic Party'"

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Jeon Jinyoung] Won Jong-geon (27), the second recruitment talent of the Democratic Party of Korea who was embroiled in the 'Me Too' controversy, announced on the 28th that he would "return his recruitment talent qualification to the party."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Won held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day and said, "A girlfriend I once dated posted content related to me on the internet. Just the fact that this controversy arose has caused trouble for the party. I am sorry for that alone."

He continued, "The post that was uploaded is not true. Although I had many faults and made mistakes in my youth, I did not live recklessly," expressing his feelings by saying, "I feel devastated to be branded as a shameless person."

Won said, "Since I have received more attention and interest than others, no matter how unfair it is, it seems appropriate to bear more severe responsibility and harsh consequences than others," adding, "The Democratic Party, which reached out to me, is on the verge of an election. No matter how much I express my grievances and clarify the facts, the tedious battle over the truth itself is a burden."

He said, "Moreover, she is a woman I once loved. Regardless of the truth of the claims, it is a responsible attitude to share the pain of the past we had together," and added, "I will relinquish the honorable title and return to being a private citizen. I will reveal the truth alone and restore my honor."

Won, who was recruited as the Democratic Party's second talent at the end of last year, is well known for appearing on the 2006 MBC program 'Neukkim-pyo - Wake Up' with his mother, who has both visual and hearing impairments. After appearing on the show, Won continued volunteer activities steadily, graduated from Kyung Hee University with a degree in Media and Communication, and worked in the social contribution team at eBay Korea.

However, on the 27th, a woman identified as A, who claimed to be his ex-girlfriend, posted a message titled "Exposing the true nature of Won Jong-geon, the Democratic Party's second recruitment talent who appeared on 'Neukkim-pyo - Wake Up'" on an internet cafe, sparking the Me Too controversy.

In the post, A claimed, "I included only 100% facts," and stated, "Won Jong-geon continuously treated me, his girlfriend, as a sexual object and tormented me with misogyny and gaslighting (emotional abuse through cunning manipulation of another's psychology or situation)."

She also posted four photos showing bruises on her lower body and one KakaoTalk chat screenshot, claiming they prove forced sexual attempts. This post rapidly spread through social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

As the scandal spread, more than 100 posts demanding a review of Won's recruitment appeared on the Democratic Party's member bulletin board, and opposition parties including the Liberty Korea Party also demanded apologies from the Democratic Party and Won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.