"Only 30 Pieces of Evidence" Park Won-soon Victims Request Human Rights Commission's Ex Officio Investigation... Will the Truth Be Revealed?

Victim of Park Won-soon Submits Request for Human Rights Commission's Ex Officio Investigation on 28th
Lawyer Urges "Investigation of the Case and Recommendation for System Improvement"
Women's Groups Say "Thorough Fact-Finding Is the First Step to Social Change"

Members of the Seoul Human Rights and Equality Advocacy Coalition held a press conference on the morning of the 28th in front of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging a special investigation by the Human Rights Commission into sexual violence by the power of the Seoul Mayor. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the former secretary A, who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment, along with women's organizations, requested the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to conduct an ex officio investigation, public attention is focused on whether it will be possible to uncover the truth regarding allegations of aiding sexual harassment and the circumstances of the leak of the accusation related to the case against former Mayor Park. Citizens are urging for a fact-finding investigation and countermeasures, while voicing their support for the victim through SNS and other platforms.

Women’s organizations supporting A, including the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center and Korea Women's Hotline, held a joint press conference on the 28th titled "Joint Action to Urge the National Human Rights Commission of Korea to Conduct an Ex Officio Investigation into the Sexual Violence Case by the Seoul Mayor’s Authority" and submitted a request for an ex officio investigation to the Human Rights Commission. Kim Jae-ryeon, a lawyer from On·Sesang Law Firm representing A, stated that there are "30 pieces of evidence" proving the victimization.

The several hundred-page request reportedly includes demands for a fact-finding investigation into △ allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct by former Mayor Park and the complicity of Seoul city officials △ failure of Seoul city to implement victim relief procedures △ the circumstances surrounding the leak of the accusation, among other suspicions. It is also reported to include demands for institutional improvements such as measures to check misconduct by elected public officials, including sexual crimes.

A’s side previously announced on the 22nd at a second press conference that they would not participate in the Seoul city joint investigation team. Since A’s side requested an ex officio investigation rather than submitting a petition, citizens’ voices are growing louder, urging the Human Rights Commission to treat this as a serious social crime, initiate an investigation, and prepare countermeasures.

An ex officio investigation is initiated by the commission on its own authority when there is a basis for human rights violations. It has the same effect as submitting a petition but allows the commission to expand the scope of the investigation at its discretion.

Attorney Kim Jae-ryeon, the representative of the victim in the sexual harassment allegations against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, is holding a request letter urging an ex officio investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Mayor Park in front of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

However, some express concerns that since the Human Rights Commission lacks compulsory investigative authority and may not actively investigate, the case could be quietly closed. Although Seoul city has expressed willingness to actively cooperate with the Human Rights Commission’s investigation, due to the nature of ex officio investigations, it must rely on voluntary testimonies and voluntarily submitted materials, making it difficult to uncover the truth without investigating the involved parties.

Previously, when Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun exposed sexual harassment by former Ministry of Justice Prosecutor General Ahn Tae-geun, Kim, who was Seo’s legal representative, filed a petition with the Human Rights Commission in February 2018 requesting an investigation into the 2010 sexual harassment case and secondary damage. The day after the petition was received, the Human Rights Commission held a briefing and announced it would conduct an ex officio investigation into sexual harassment and sexual violence issues throughout the prosecution.

However, the Human Rights Commission reportedly dismissed the case in July of the same year and ended the investigation. Regarding this, Choi Young-ae, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, explained at the National Assembly inspection in October last year that "Seo’s case was dismissed because it was a case under trial."

As a result, citizens unanimously stated that through this investigation, the truth behind various suspicions related to the accusation against former Mayor Park should be uncovered, and countermeasures should be prepared to protect victims and prevent recurrence.

Some expressed solidarity with the victim by conducting hashtag campaigns such as '#Solidarity_with_the_victim_who_accused_Mayor_Park_Won-soon' on their Twitter, Instagram, and other SNS platforms.

Members of the Seoul Human Rights and Equality Advocacy Coalition are marching toward the National Human Rights Commission on the morning of the 28th in front of the Seoul Library in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging an official investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the victim’s side urged a detailed investigation and preparation of countermeasures not only regarding sexual harassment but also concerning gender discrimination systems.

On the 28th, Lawyer Kim stated, "The Human Rights Commission can conduct an ex officio investigation even without a victim’s petition," adding, "We decided to request an ex officio investigation. The request includes all the facts the victim wanted to have judged through a petition."

He continued, "The reason for requesting an ex officio investigation rather than a petition is to have the Human Rights Commission actively investigate issues beyond the victim’s claims and recommend institutional improvements. There are several areas that need improvement in this case. We urge the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter and recommend institutional improvements," he added.

Ko Mi-kyung, co-representative of Korea Women's Hotline, pointed out, "Over the past 20 days, we have painfully confirmed the reality of discrimination and sexual violence against women in Korean society. The secondary damage that poured out after the courageous victim spoke revealed the harsh reality of gender discrimination and prejudice in Korean society."

She urged, "Thorough fact-finding is the first step toward social change. The Human Rights Commission should investigate properly without any prejudice or hesitation and uncover the truth."

Earlier, on the 22nd, Lee Mi-kyung, director of the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, criticized at the "Second Press Conference on the Sexual Violence Case by the Seoul Mayor" held in Jung-gu, Seoul, saying, "The victim had told nearly 20 current and former secretaries about the sexual harassment grievance transfer request over more than four years. However, it was revealed that the work system centered on the mayor was a powerful structure that maintained silence."

She added, "In a situation where it is uncertain whether this structure will change, it will be difficult for employees who continue to work as Seoul city officials to provide truthful responses in internal investigations."

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