Jin Joong-kwon: "Even if Oh Geo-don’s sexual harassment had been exposed before the election, the outcome would not have changed"

Published 28 Apr.2020 09:50(KST)

On the morning of the 23rd, former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don held a resignation press conference at Busan City Hall, admitting to sexual harassment of a woman. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] As suspicions arise in political circles that former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don’s admission of sexual harassment against a female employee and subsequent resignation were timed with the general election in mind, former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon stated, "(Even if the sexual harassment) revelation had occurred before the election, the overall trend would not have changed."

On the 27th, Jin posted on his Facebook, saying, "The conservative crisis is too broad and deep to be covered up by such an incidental incident."

He added, "However, a few seats in Busan and the metropolitan area might have shifted to the United Future Party," and "That said, the overall trend of the ruling party’s landslide victory and the opposition’s crushing defeat likely would not have changed."

Nevertheless, he pointed out, "What must be noted in this situation is the fact that even the revelation of a sexual harassment case involving abuse of power was adjusted to fit the ruling party’s election schedule."

He emphasized, "This means that the communal value of protecting women’s human rights was subordinated to the partisan interest of the ruling party’s general election victory."

He further criticized, "It is even more disheartening that women’s organizations, which should prioritize the rights of victims, agreed to such an absurd handling."

On the morning of the 23rd at 11 a.m., former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don held a press conference at Busan City Hall, admitting to sexual harassment of a female employee and announcing his resignation.