"There Was Also Chaehongsa..." Hong Joon-pyo Urges Investigation into Park Won-soon's Sexual Harassment Allegations

Published 14 Jul.2020 08:45(KST)

Updated 14 Jul.2020 10:01(KST)

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Hong Joon-pyo, Independent Member of Parliament [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo emphasized on the 13th that "the prosecution and police should conduct a more thorough investigation, and the opposition party should even form a special task force (TF)" regarding the sexual harassment allegations against the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Hong posted on his Facebook, saying, "The main perpetrator of the sexual harassment has committed suicide, and even if there is no inheritance, the accomplices are clearly still alive."

He added, "As long as the legal responsibility of the user, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, remains, there is no prosecutorial right only against the deceased," emphasizing, "The substantive truth about the process of this case must be clearly revealed to legally protect the victims."

He continued, "There are rampant rumors that there is more than one victim, and even talk that there was someone who played the role of a 'chae-hong-sa' (a person who covers up or facilitates wrongdoing)," adding, "To prevent further sexual harassment of women by those in power, this case must be thoroughly investigated as the last."

On the previous day, Hong also expressed his incomprehension regarding the funeral of Mayor Park being held as a Seoul Special Mayor’s Funeral (葬).

He stated, "I do not understand on what grounds a former mayor who committed suicide is given a Seoul Special Mayor’s Funeral," pointing out, "While we can accept the part where he atoned for his mistakes through death, it is difficult to readily understand the glorification of this or the notion of carrying on his will."