Victim of Park Won-soon Says "Focus on the Truth"... "No Evidence" and "Reveal Identity" Persist as Secondary Harm

Victim of Park Won-soon Holds 2nd Press Conference Today
"Reveal Identity" "Political Conspiracy"... Continued Secondary Harm to Victim
Lawyer: "Attacking Victim Over Evidence Disclosure Is Shifting Responsibility"
Expert: "Secondary Harm Reflects Lack of Understanding of Sexual Violence Cases"

On the morning of the 22nd, at a press conference held in Jung-gu, Seoul titled 'Second Press Conference on the Power Sexual Violence Case by the Mayor of Seoul,' Kim Jae-ryeon, the lead attorney of the law firm On-Sesang, is speaking.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the victim who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment held a second press conference, appealing, "Please focus together on the revealed truth without being distracted by issues unrelated to the essence," secondary victimization against the victim continues. Women's groups raised their voices, urging to stop the secondary victimization and emphasizing the urgent need for measures to protect the victim.

Experts pointed out that such secondary victimization remarks stem from a lack of understanding of 'forcible molestation by power in the course of duty' and sexual violence cases themselves.

The Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center and Korea Women's Hotline, supporting former secretary A who accused former Mayor Park, held a 'Second Press Conference on the Sexual Violence Case by the Seoul Mayor' at an undisclosed location in Seoul at 11 a.m. today (22nd).

At the press conference, A's side mentioned ▲ decision not to participate in the Seoul City investigation team ▲ urging an investigation into the leak of the accusation against former Mayor Park.

They particularly emphasized that although they submitted evidence of former Mayor Park's sexual harassment and sexual misconduct to investigative agencies, they have no plans to disclose it to the media.

Kim Jae-ryeon, attorney at Law On·Sesang representing A, said, "I understand there is a view that disclosing evidence would reduce attacks on the victim. However, the victim's evidence materials have been submitted to investigative agencies, and additional secured materials will also be submitted to them," adding, "Attacking the victim either because they specify detailed damages or because they do not provide specific details is an unreasonable shifting of responsibility onto the victim and can cause secondary harm."

Meanwhile, secondary victimization against the victim is spreading further, raising calls for countermeasures.

Supporters of former Mayor Park criticized the victim's claim that "the former mayor's offenses continued during the four years the victim served as a secretary and even after being transferred to another department," saying, "Who would endure for four years?" and "Political slander," among other criticisms. They continued with secondary victimization remarks such as "What victim without evidence?" "Reveal the photos sent by former Mayor Park," and "If you are confident, reveal your identity and come forward yourself."

On the morning of the 22nd, at a press conference held in Jung-gu, Seoul titled 'Second Press Conference on the Power Sexual Violence Case by the Mayor of Seoul,' Kim Jae-ryeon, the lead attorney of the law firm On-Sesang, is speaking.
Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, a petition titled "We request strict handling of defamation against the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon" was posted.

According to a post on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 14th, the petitioner stated, "Despite the facts not being revealed yet, baseless fake news and false rumors are distorting the truth," and demanded "strong measures as the deceased is being labeled as a sexual crime suspect solely based on the fact of being accused, and unrestricted criticism against the deceased is ongoing."

Women's groups urged the eradication of secondary victimization and strengthening of protective measures for the victim.

Women's organizations such as the Korean Women's Associations United, Korean Women's Movement United, and Korea Women's Hotline issued a solidarity statement expressing support for the victim. The Korean Women Lawyers Association also stated the need for thorough investigation to prevent recurrence of a second power-based sexual violence case.

Moreover, citizens raised their voices urging victim protection through hashtag campaigns like '#Solidarity_with_the_victim_who_accused_Seoul_Mayor_Park_Won-soon' on social media.

Experts unanimously agreed that such remarks constitute secondary victimization of the victim and emphasized the need to understand sexual violence cases.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University said on CBS's 'Sisa Jaki with Jung Kwan-yong' on the 21st, "In organizations where one must work together for a long time under hierarchy or power, it is difficult for victims to report easily," adding, "Since the superior holds life-and-death control, no one can easily give up their livelihood."

She explained, "Usually, the accused have many colleagues around, so the victim ends up having to fight with all those people. Therefore, it takes time and victims cannot raise issues immediately, so such damage usually occurs over a long period," and "Hierarchy and power can be strong. People who have never been in such positions or experienced psychological intimidation due to such hierarchy tend to criticize."

She continued, "That can be another pain for the victim," emphasizing, "We need to understand the likelihood that the victim wanted to report but could not."

At the press conference on the "Power Sexual Harassment Case by the Mayor of Seoul" held on the 13th at the Korean Women's Hotline Education Center in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Kim Jae-ryeon, the lead attorney of the law firm On-Sesang, is revealing the invitation message to a secret chat room, which is said to have been sent by Mayor Park Won-soon to the accuser. Photo by Yonhap News

Seo Seung-hee, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "Such secondary victimization remarks are exactly the same as the attacks victim Kim Ji-eun received in the case of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung. They are secondary victimization remarks that do not understand sexual violence by power," pointing out, "Power is the core of this sexual violence case. Despite being in a situation where one could face disadvantages such as dismissal at work, the victim had no choice but to respond kindly and in a way that did not cause relational problems, which is poorly understood."

Director Seo added, "When the victim has various relationships with the perpetrator, there is pressure to maintain those relationships, so they can only respond in a way that does not cause relational problems," and "Interpreting sexual violence as trivial, nonexistent, or slander is a secondary victimization remark that shows a lack of understanding of sexual violence itself and sexual violence by power."

Meanwhile, A expressed gratitude at the press conference for the great support and solidarity from citizens.

According to a full statement read by Im Mi-kyung, director of the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, A said, "The phone, which was submitted as evidence and returned after a week, contained many messages like 'You are not alone' and 'I will be your strength,'" adding, "I am grateful and have decided to be happy in this process of creating new connections in relationships."

She continued, "I will wait for the process to be revealed through lawful and reasonable procedures without any prejudice," and added, "I hope everyone will focus together on the revealed truth without being distracted by issues unrelated to the essence."

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