Jeon Juhye "Even 'Pihe Ho-so-in,' Not a Legal Term, Hurts Victims Again"

Lee Hae-chan comforts victim who sued Park Won-soon, expressing sympathy for complainant's pain

Jeon Ju-hye, Member of the Future United Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Jeon Juhye, a former judge and a member of the Future United Party, criticized the ruling party for using the term 'victim complainant' instead of 'victim' when referring to A, the former secretary who accused the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, of sexual harassment. She said this choice of words can be interpreted as "meaning 'we do not intend to acknowledge the fact of victimization.'"

On the 16th, Jeon wrote on her Facebook, "Yesterday, there was a belated apology from Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park," adding, "The apology was directed to the 'people,' and words of consolation were offered to the 'victim complainant.'"

She continued, "The Democratic Party and the Seoul Metropolitan Government seem to have agreed to use expressions like 'victim complainant' and 'victim complainant employee,'" pointing out that "this implies it is not a one-sided claim of victimization."

Furthermore, she emphasized, "Based on media reports and Mayor Park's actions, the victim's claims appear credible rather than mere appeals," and "In such cases, both legally and by common sense, the term 'victim' should be used."

Jeon questioned, "Why do the Democratic Party and Seoul Metropolitan Government use this unfamiliar term 'victim complainant,' which does not even exist in legal terminology?" She argued, "It means they have not offered genuine consolation or apology, and it is tantamount to inflicting further wounds on the victim."

Earlier, on the 15th, Lee Hae-chan apologized regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park, saying, "As party leader, I am deeply dismayed and have nothing to say to the people," and "Once again, I offer my apologies to the public."

Kim Hye-jung, Deputy Director of the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, is holding a placard that reads "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

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

Lee Nak-yeon, a leading presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, also used the term 'victim complainant' to apologize to the victim.

The terms 'victim complainant' and 'victim complainant woman' commonly used by the ruling party are interpreted to mean that since the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park have not been confirmed as fact, A cannot be definitively labeled as a 'victim.'

However, there are criticisms that such terminology effectively indicates an unwillingness to acknowledge the sexual harassment victimization.

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University, wrote on Facebook that day, "The phrase 'victim complainant woman' implies distrust, as if they do not yet believe the victim's words," and argued, "This itself constitutes secondary victimization."

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the Future United Party, also issued a statement that day, saying, "The Democratic Party started collective fabrication because they do not want to call the victim in Mayor Park's sexual harassment allegations a victim," and criticized it as "secondary victimization by refusing to acknowledge the allegations."

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