Justice Party: "Oh Keo-don, Sexual Violence Due to Abuse of Power at Work, Not a Women's Issue"

Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don Resigns, "Engaged in Unnecessary Physical Contact"

Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don is announcing his resignation at a press conference held at Busan City Hall on the morning of the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The Women's Headquarters of the Justice Party criticized Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, who abruptly resigned on the 23rd after admitting to sexual harassment, saying it was not a "women's issue" but a "sexual violence case involving power abuse in the workplace."

Cho Hyemin, head of the Justice Party Women's Headquarters, said in a statement that "it is bitterly unsurprising. Sexual violence cases involving the power of male politicians have already been reported, and there have been testimonies from invisible victims in various areas within the political sphere," she said.

She continued, "The task women faced was to regain ordinary daily life in the face of workplace power that operates like air in reality," adding, "I feel despair and responsibility that such problems have occurred again in the political sphere, where laws and systems should be established to change this harsh reality."

She also emphasized, "This case is not an individual's deviation. It is a case involving entrenched authoritarian culture and power abuse in the workplace within the political sphere," and stressed, "It is not a specific person's 'women's issue.' It is not a 'personal issue.' It is 'sexual violence.'"

Furthermore, Cho said, "The reality where women living their daily lives are not guaranteed their labor rights," and urged, "Busan City must promptly come up with measures to improve organizational culture and awareness and do its best to restore the victims."

Finally, she said, "The Justice Party is striving to ensure that women can participate safely. We will fulfill our responsibility as a public party by creating a gender-equal culture within the party to build a society that matches the slogan 'Perpetrators to prison, victims to daily life.'"

Earlier, Mayor Oh said at a press conference held at Busan City Hall at 11 a.m. that day, "I hereby resign from the position of Busan Mayor today. I bow my head and apologize to the citizens."

He apologized, saying, "During a short meeting of about five minutes with one person, I made unnecessary physical contact. I realized that this could be recognized as forced molestation, which should never be done," and added, "Regardless of severity, it cannot be forgiven by any words or actions."

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