"It's Because You're Pretty"... The 'Power' That Silences Victims

Employees Struggle to Seek Help Even When Facing Sexual Misconduct by Supervisors
74.5% of Public Officials "Endure Sexual Harassment Without Reporting"
Experts Call for Local Governments to Establish Separate Monitoring and Oversight Agencies

On the morning of the 22nd, attendees are seated at a press conference hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, ahead of the "Second Press Conference on the Sexual Violence Case by the Mayor of Seoul." / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "It's because you didn't know better.", "It must have been because you were pretty."

These were the words heard when former secretary A, who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment, voiced her grievances to her colleagues. At a press conference held on the 22nd, A's side claimed that over four years, from 2015 to last year, she repeatedly sought help from 20 current and former secretaries, but the staff turned a blind eye.

As sexual misconduct issues continue to surface within the public sector, experts point out that the root cause lies in organizational problems where 'power' prevents victims from properly voicing their concerns. Even when victims report sexual harassment or assault by superiors, they become discouraged and silent upon realizing the issue will be internally suppressed, ultimately leading to greater harm.

Experts advise establishing checks and balances to monitor and supervise sexual misconduct by those in power within the public sector.

According to A's legal representative, lawyer Kim Jaeryun, A reported the abuse she suffered to the HR manager and even showed some colleagues secret Telegram chat messages and underwear photos sent by former Mayor Park.

However, the staff made statements seemingly defending former Mayor Park. Some even tried to persuade A by saying, "We will make your remaining 30 years as a public servant comfortable, so please come back as a secretary."

A also requested a personnel transfer from former Chief of Staff B, but no follow-up action was taken. As active measures against sexual harassment were not taken within Seoul City, A eventually consulted with lawyer Kim and filed a complaint with the police on the 8th.

Former Chungnam Provincial Public Relations Secretary Kim Ji-eun appeared on JTBC's "Newsroom" in March 2018 to expose the sexual violence of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung. / Photo by Yonhap News

Cases where victims fail to promptly raise issues about their superiors' sexual misconduct and remain silent continue to emerge.

A female public official from Imsil County Office in Jeonbuk, found dead at her home on the 11th, was identified to have sent a text message to an acquaintance before her death saying, "It will be difficult to work with a superior who sexually assaulted me in the past."

Kim Ji-eun, who exposed sexual violence by former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung on JTBC's 'Newsroom' in March 2018, was also confirmed to have suffered multiple incidents since late 2017.

According to an online survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in June 2018 targeting 108,000 local government officials, 11.1% of respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment or similar incidents within the past three years. Among those who reported such experiences, 74.5% said they "just endured and moved on."

Additionally, a survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Women and Family Policy Office in October of the same year targeting 6,810 employees including Seoul City Hall and district officials found that 74.6% of female employees agreed that "raising issues about sexual harassment worsens workplace relationships, causing only harm to the victim."

The inability of sexual misconduct victims in the public sector to properly voice their concerns is attributed to an intimidating organizational atmosphere.

Sexual Misconduct Issues in the Public Sector / Photo by Yonhap News

In her book 'This is Kim Ji-eun,' which records the 554 days after she exposed former Governor Ahn's sexual violence, Kim said, "You cannot speak, you cannot raise issues?that is power," and added, "I was worried that everything would be swept under the rug because I knew how great his power was. Even if I had reported to the authorities immediately after the assault, I thought a proper investigation would be difficult."

In environments where the 'power' of those in authority operates directly or indirectly within organizations, victims tend to remain silent.

Experts recommend establishing a separate monitoring and supervisory body to check those in power within the public sector.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University's Criminal Psychology Department said on a radio broadcast on the 17th, "When sexual misconduct issues arise in local governments, the final report is made to the local government head who has disciplinary authority," adding, "In reality, local governments lack monitoring and supervisory institutions."

She continued, "When elected officials like mayors or governors take office, people who campaigned together often work alongside them, raising the question of whether inappropriate behavior within can be properly recognized."

She then suggested, "Therefore, a third-party organization, such as the National Human Rights Commission or a body that can monitor local governments, should be separately established to supervise sexual misconduct issues."

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