'Potential Accomplices' 'Public-Private Joint Cover-Up Group'... United Future Party Expresses Doubts Over Seoul City's Fact-Finding Investigation (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party is casting suspicion on the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which announced it would conduct a public-private joint investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park Won-soon, calling it a "potential accomplice" and a "public-private joint cover-up group."

On the 16th, Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the United Future Party, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "They call it a public-private joint investigation team, but I read it as a 'public-private joint cover-up group.'" He was targeting the Seoul Metropolitan Government's move to form a public-private joint investigation team to look into the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park.

When anchor Kim pointed out that this was "too much," Representative Kim responded, "Where does the public-private joint investigation team have any investigative authority? Where do they have the authority to conduct investigations, execute search and seizure, or perform forensic analysis?" He added, "They have no legal authority at all. They are just people with no authority trying to kill time and let this pass."

Representative Kim emphasized, "The late Mayor Park had several cell phones, all of which should be seized and forensically examined to see the text messages exchanged with the victim during the sexual harassment incident. That would be the way to handle this." He continued, "But right now, they are completely covering that up and trying to just put on a show based on people's words to let it pass."

He added, "The second important point is that the key persons involved in this case, the conspirators and participants, are Seoul city officials." He continued, "Currently, Seo Jeong-yeop, who is acting on behalf of the Seoul Mayor, is a former chief of staff to the late Mayor Park. Various incidents have continuously occurred within that office, and despite the victim's complaints over four years, they were ignored. If that is the case, Acting Mayor Seo could be subject to investigation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, Heo Eun-ah, a member of the United Future Party, also appeared on YTN Radio's "Starting New Morning" and said, "It is questionable how much the public can trust the investigation team formed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government," adding, "We cannot fully trust the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

She said, "Just looking at three points?the allegation that the fact of the complaint against the late Mayor Park was leaked, the close aides of Mayor Park who currently control the city administration are potential accomplices who cannot be free from this incident, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government ignored the victim's internal whistleblowing?makes it impossible to fully trust the Seoul Metropolitan Government." She added, "For now, we will observe Seoul's self-reform measures, but if there is even a hint of suspicion, the fact-finding investigation will be transferred to the National Assembly."

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