Victim of Park Won-soon Demands Human Rights Commission's Ex Officio Investigation... Will the Truth Behind Sexual Harassment Allegations Emerge?

Support Group for Victim A Requests Human Rights Commission to Initiate Investigation
Police Investigation Accelerates... Multiple Related Parties to Be Summoned This Week

Representatives from women's organizations such as the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center and Korea Women's Hotline held a joint action on the 28th in front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, calling for the National Human Rights Commission to conduct an ex officio investigation into the sexual violence case involving the power of the Mayor of Seoul. They marched from City Hall to the Human Rights Commission and held a press conference in front of the commission urging an ex officio investigation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Seungyoon Song] Women’s organizations supporting former secretary A, who accused former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment, have demanded a suo motu investigation by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK).

On the morning of the 28th, eight women’s organizations including the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korea Women’s Hotline, Women Workers’ Association, and Korean Women’s Association United stated, "This case must begin with the NHRCK’s fact-finding and conclude with creating a safe working environment where women can work without disadvantages." About 100 activists and protest participants affiliated with these organizations marched from City Hall to the NHRCK in front of Myeongdong Cathedral and held a press conference urging the NHRCK to conduct a suo motu investigation.

Initially, the organizations had planned to file a petition with the NHRCK regarding the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park. However, they shifted to favor a suo motu investigation, considering it more appropriate to examine structural issues. The NHRCK’s suo motu investigation has the same effect as a petition investigation but can broaden the scope of the inquiry based on the commission’s judgment.

Representatives from women's organizations such as the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center and Korea Women's Hotline held a joint action on the 28th in front of Seoul Library in Jung-gu, Seoul, calling for the National Human Rights Commission to conduct an ex officio investigation into the sexual violence case involving the Mayor of Seoul. They marched from City Hall to the Human Rights Commission and held a press conference in front of the commission urging an ex officio investigation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Separately, the police investigation is also gaining momentum. Police investigating allegations of aiding and abetting sexual harassment by the late Mayor Park have been summoning and questioning Seoul city officials one after another. So far, the police have called about ten related persons, including employees who worked in the mayor’s secretariat, as witnesses to investigate whether they were aware of A’s victimization. The police plan to continue summoning related persons for questioning this week. Once witness questioning is completed, they will also investigate those accused of aiding sexual harassment, including former and current secretariat chiefs. Former Chief Secretary Ko Han-seok and Gender Special Advisor Lim Sun-young, who have already been questioned once, are likely to be investigated again.

The investigation into neglect allegations is expected to focus on proving whether Seoul city officials were aware of the sexual harassment by the late Mayor Park but ignored or aided it. The circumstances under which the victim’s request for personnel transfer was dismissed will also be a key focus of the investigation. However, whether charges will be applied remains uncertain. No individuals have yet been formally registered as suspects due to confirmed charges, and those accused of aiding are actively presenting defense arguments. Especially since the late Mayor Park passed away, it is difficult even to determine whether sexual harassment occurred. A search warrant requested by the police for evidence seizure at Seoul City Hall has already been rejected once.

Meanwhile, the police initially planned to send the main case?the sexual harassment accusation against the late Mayor Park?to the prosecution with a "no prosecution" disposition, but due to the entanglement with allegations of neglect and other accusations, the transfer is expected to be delayed beyond initial expectations.

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