"Unnecessary Physical Contact Also Considered Forced Molestation" Public Sector's 'Gender Sensitivity' Under Scrutiny

Ongoing Political Sex Scandals Involving Oh Keo-don and Ahn Hee-jung
Male-Dominated Public Office Culture, Low 'Gender Sensitivity' Criticized
Experts Urge Implementation of Measures to Prevent Power-Based Sexual Violence Crimes

On the morning of the 23rd, at Busan City Hall, Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don is putting the resignation statement into his pocket after holding a press conference admitting to sexual harassment of a woman. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Suwan Kim and Intern Reporter Juhyung Lim] The sexual harassment case involving former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, who admitted to sexually harassing a female public official and voluntarily resigned, has once again brought high-ranking officials' sexual scandals into the spotlight. Previously, former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung was also sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting his secretary.

Civil society groups pointed to the low 'gender sensitivity' in the male-dominated public service as the root cause of the issue. Experts advised that "measures to improve organizational culture toward gender equality through gender sensitivity education in the public sector" are necessary.

Gender sensitivity refers to the sensitivity to detect gender-discriminatory elements in daily life and the ability to find solutions to overcome such problems.

Former Mayor Oh announced his sudden resignation on the 23rd. At 11 a.m. that day, he held a press conference at Busan City Hall and said, "During a brief five-minute meeting with one person, I engaged in unnecessary physical contact," adding, "I realized that this could be recognized as forced sexual harassment, which should never be done. Regardless of severity, no words or actions can be forgiven."

He continued, "I believe it is not right to carry out the mayoral duties while bearing such mistakes," and added, "As a public official, I will take responsibility, apologize to the victims, and live the rest of my life with a repentant heart."

Sexual scandals continue unabated in the political sphere. Former Governor Ahn also stepped down from his position due to a sexual assault case. This case first came to light on March 5, 2018, when Kim Ji-eun, who was Ahn’s executive secretary, appeared on a broadcast and revealed her victimization.

Former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who is accused of sexually assaulting his secretary, voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office in Mapo-gu on the afternoon of March 9, 2018. / Photo by Yonhap News

The next day, on the 6th, former Governor Ahn submitted his resignation to the Chungnam Provincial Council, stating, "I will take responsibility." Three days later, on the 9th, he voluntarily appeared at the prosecution for investigation, after which the prosecution indicted him.

Former Governor Ahn was accused of sexually assaulting Kim four times and sexually harassing her six times through abuse of power from July 2017 to February 2018. The prosecution sought a four-year prison sentence, but the first trial court acquitted him, stating, "Considering that the victim had conversations that actively supported the defendant, the victim’s testimony cannot be trusted."

However, the second trial court recognized Ahn’s guilt, stating, "The victim’s testimony is consistent, and there is no motive or reason for the victim to fabricate false claims to falsely accuse the defendant." Ahn was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and was taken into custody in court.

Some point out that the male-centered and gender-insensitive public sector is the cause of such sexual scandals. They argue that failing to recognize inequalities based on gender or position in daily life makes it impossible to prevent sexual harassment and assault.

Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don is leaving after holding a press conference at Busan City Hall on the morning of the 23rd, announcing his intention to resign from the mayoral position. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center issued a statement on the day former Mayor Oh announced his resignation, calling it "a foreseeable event," and criticized, "The formation of a dedicated team for sexual harassment and sexual violence, which was promised as a campaign pledge by former Mayor Oh, was continuously delayed even after his election, and press releases showing female workers seated on both sides during company dinners were somewhat predictable."

The counseling center added, "While our center supported the victim and communicated with Busan City, the efforts made by former Mayor Oh and his aides for the victim seem to show a minimum level of responsibility after the sexual violence incident," but emphasized, "It should not end with just the resignation of former Mayor Oh."

They continued, "Busan City must change thoroughly after the resignation," pointing out, "This incident revealed that the culture of the Busan community is male-centered and not gender-equal."

They urged, "Gender equality is no longer a 'trivial matter' that can be postponed; it is an urgent task that the Busan community must solve."

Experts stressed the need to implement measures to prevent sexual violence crimes involving abuse of power and especially emphasized the necessity of gender sensitivity education in the public sector.

Seok Young-mi, head of the Busan Women’s Organizations Federation, appeared on YTN Radio’s "Noh Young-mi’s Start of a New Morning" on the morning of the 24th and said, "(The former Mayor Oh case) is sexual violence by the power of a male politician," pointing out, "It can be seen as a result of the authoritarian culture within political circles and a male-centered culture."

She added, "A strong gender equality promotion system should be established, such as setting up a permanent gender equality committee, and measures to prevent power-based sexual violence crimes must be implemented immediately."

She further stated, "I feel that the male-centered culture is firmly rooted within the public sector and that Busan City itself has an overall culture that is not gender-equal," adding, "Efforts to improve organizational culture toward gender equality and to prioritize gender sensitivity education are necessary to change the power relations that have long been solidified by order and system."

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