Controversy Over the Terms 'Pihyeja' vs 'Pihyeohosoin': What Is Your Opinion?

Controversy Over Terms Referring to Complainants in Park Won-soon Sexual Assault Allegation Case
Ruling Party Including Democratic Party Uses 'Victim Reporting Harm', Complainants Use 'Victim'
Civilians Divided Over Terms Referring to Complainants, Including Presumption of Innocence

Kim Hye-jung, Deputy Director of the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, holds a placard reading "We stand in solidarity with the victims" at the press conference on the "Sexual Harassment Case by the Mayor of Seoul" held on the 13th at the Korea Women's Hotline Education Center in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A controversy has erupted over the term used to refer to former secretary A, who accused the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual violence. The Democratic Party of Korea refers to A, who filed a complaint against Mayor Park for sexual violence charges, as a 'woman alleging harm' or 'complainant.' On the other hand, among citizens, there is a claim that clearly stating 'sexual violence victim' is the more accurate expression.

Currently, the organizations that clearly define and use the term 'victim' include women's groups such as 'Korean Women's Hotline,' which held a press conference representing A. A's legal representative, lawyer Kim Jae-ryeon, stated, "The crime continued during the four years when the 'victim' served as a secretary and even after being transferred to another department," adding, "The locations where the crimes occurred included the mayor's office and the bedroom within the office."

'Woman alleging harm,' 'employee alleging harm,' and 'woman alleging harm' are terms frequently used in the current 'Former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Sexual Harassment Allegation Case' and are continuously used by the Democratic Party.

On the 15th, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan apologized regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park, saying, "As the party leader, I am deeply distressed and have no words to say to the public. Once again, I apologize to the people."

Regarding the victim who filed the complaint against Mayor Park, he used the term 'complainant,' saying, "I offer my deepest condolences for the pain the complainant is experiencing. As the Democratic Party leader, I express my sincere apology for this situation."

Leader Lee repeatedly said, "I hope Seoul City thoroughly investigates the circumstances of the incident according to the complainant's wishes," and added, "I earnestly ask once again to stop baseless criticism of the complainant and not to use the individual's pain as a tool for political strife or public opinion manipulation."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon used the term 'complainant.' In a post on his Facebook on the same day, he said, "I bow my head and apologize to the complainant and the public," adding, "We have solemnly concluded Mayor Park Won-soon's funeral. Leaving behind the sorrow of seeing him off, we must now reflect on the tasks he left behind."

The late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 14th, female lawmakers of the Democratic Party also expressed strong regret in a statement over the doxxing, slander, insults, and threats against the 'complainant,' saying, "Such incidents must not be repeated."

Also, Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, said at Mayor Park's funeral on the 10th, "I think the person who may be suffering the most is the 'complainant.' Doxxing or secondary harm against the complainant must never happen."

Regarding the term 'complainant' commonly used in the ruling party, some point out that there is an underlying perception that, since Mayor Park's death makes it impossible to verify the facts, it cannot be definitively concluded that the person is a 'victim.'

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon wrote on his Facebook on the 14th, "What does 'woman alleging harm' mean? Is it that damn presumption of innocence again?" He criticized, "Creating and using the unfamiliar neologism 'woman alleging harm' instead of saying 'victim' means there is no intention to acknowledge the sexual harassment."

He also criticized Leader Lee's apology that day, saying, "Apologize again. There is no 'victim,' only a person 'alleging harm,' so why apologize?"

He continued, "If there is no intention to verify whether harm was done or not, then on what 'basis' is that apology made? If you want to apologize, prepare the grounds for apology first. Apologies are made to 'victims,' not to 'complainants.'"

Yoo Ui-dong, a lawmaker from the United Future Party, also criticized in an interview on the Buddhist Broadcasting System radio program 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' on the 15th, saying, "Calling the victim a 'woman alleging harm' is an intentional emphasis that the charges have not been confirmed," adding, "It further encourages secondary harm." He said, "I believe the ruling party's thoughts are all encapsulated in that very term."

The portrait of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, arriving at Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 13th, where the funeral ceremony is being held.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Public opinion is divided. A 30-year-old office worker A said, "Who will take responsibility for the various other damages that may occur if the person is not a victim?" adding, "It's unfortunate, but calmly observing the situation seems to be the right answer."

Another 40-year-old office worker B also said, "Calling her a complainant is the most accurate term in the current situation," emphasizing, "It doesn't seem right to call her a victim when it hasn't been confirmed."

On the other hand, some believe it is correct to call her a victim. A mid-20s office worker C said, "If the Seoul mayor took his own life, everyone knows what that means," adding, "In that sense, it is not wrong to see her as a victim." He continued, "Calling her a complainant seems to be based only on the visible situation; using the term 'sexual violence victim' is more appropriate."

Meanwhile, Seoul City stated regarding the terminology controversy that according to internal regulations, the term 'victim' can be used.

Hwang In-sik, Seoul City spokesperson, explained at a press conference on the 15th titled 'Seoul City's Position on the Investigation of Employee Human Rights Violations,' "The issue of the term 'employee alleging harm' is officially received internally, and the term 'victim' is used once investigation procedures begin," adding, "Because this is an unprecedented situation, such terms have not been used before."

Seoul City plans to form a 'Public-Private Joint Investigation Team' including women's groups, human rights experts, and legal professionals to investigate the facts.

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