Park Ju-min: "'Victim claimant' is a term found in party rules and regulations"

Park Ju-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Park Ju-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that the term "victim complainant," used to refer to former secretary A who accused the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, of sexual harassment, is "included in the party's rules and regulations," amid the controversy.

On the 22nd, Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "As far as I know, the term 'victim complainant' is included in the party's rules and regulations," adding, "From that perspective, I think I used it without much concern, but from the viewpoint of victim-centeredness, it can be pointed out as a somewhat regrettable part."

Regarding the nomination for the by-election in April next year to fill Mayor Park's vacancy, he said, "We need to consider whether it is right to follow the regulations and show responsibility to the public, or to give voters the opportunity to choose and show responsibility by being elected," and expressed a cautious stance, saying, "It is a very difficult issue to say that we absolutely should not field a candidate right now."

Regarding his previous statement during the controversy over former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, that "not fielding a candidate is in accordance with the party's rules," he explained, "I am willing to endure criticism that I am reversing my previous words, but I believe the political meaning has changed significantly in this situation where a by-election must be held even for the Seoul mayor."

When asked if he intends to run for Seoul Mayor after the party leader election, he replied, "I have no thoughts about the Seoul mayoral by-election," adding, "Despite many people's concerns about the two-strong candidate structure for the party leader election, I decided because I strongly wanted to do something for the party's role. Running for Seoul mayor was not on my mind."

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