"Disappointed It's the United Party, Isn't This a Political Move?" Professor Lee Soo-jung Shares Her Thoughts in Response to Criticism

Lee Soo-jung "Some Criticism Interpreting Sexual Violence Issues Through Partisan Logic"
Democratic Party and Late Park Won-soon's Some Supporters Criticize "Isn't This a Political Move?"

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As Professor Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychologist at Kyonggi University, was named to the Future United Party's Special Committee on Sexual Violence Countermeasures, criticism has emerged between the Democratic Party of Korea and supporters of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

There are concerns that Professor Lee might be starting a political career with the United Party, using this incident as a starting point. Some even speculate that the former Mayor Park case is being politically exploited. In response to various suspicions, Professor Lee firmly stated that she has "absolutely no intention of entering politics."

On the morning of the 30th, Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Party, told reporters, "We have decided to form a special committee on sexual violence under the Emergency Countermeasures Committee," adding, "This committee is established to listen to the voices of female victims regarding power-related sexual violence allegations, including those involving former Mayor Park."

Spokesperson Kim explained, "As the opposition party, we are responding to the public's demand to uncover the truth and prepare countermeasures. The chairperson will be Assemblyman Kim Jung-jae, and the committee will consist of 12 members, including 11 committee members."

The inclusion of Professor Lee Soo-jung from Kyonggi University on the special committee drew attention. Previously, she appeared on a radio program and criticized the Park case, saying, "There has never been a situation where victims are not called victims. I don't understand why secondary victimization continues like this."

On the morning of the 13th, the portrait of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was brought into Seoul City Hall where the funeral ceremony was held. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, some members of the Democratic Party and supporters of former Mayor Park criticized Professor Lee's appointment to the special committee on sexual violence, questioning, "Why the United Party? Isn't this the start of a political career?" They raised suspicions that Professor Lee might be engaging in political activities in earnest.

One Democratic Party supporter strongly criticized, "Finally, she has gone to the corrupt United Party. Her true colors have been revealed." Other supporters expressed doubts such as, "She was originally on that side, so it seems she finally went," "She is good at studying but not wise," and "Towards the gold badge," implying that Professor Lee joined the committee with political motives.

In response to various speculations and criticisms, Professor Lee told Asia Economy in a phone interview that day, "This is different from engaging in politics," emphasizing, "I have no plans to leave my academic position." She added, "I think some criticisms interpret the sexual violence issue through a partisan lens."

Meanwhile, besides Professor Lee, the United Party's special committee on sexual violence includes external members such as Kim Sung-kyung, Director of External Cooperation at the Korean Women Lawyers Association; Jung Hee-kyung, Legal Committee Member for Multicultural Families at the Korean Bar Association; Hong Ji-hye, Legal Counselor at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission; Jo Yeon-bin, Specialist Lawyer at the Korea Sexual Violence Crisis Center; and Yeo Myung, Member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Spokesperson Kim emphasized, "Although these incidents that happened in the shadows have been revealed to the world through the courage of female victims, these women are still left alone," adding, "The special committee will directly visit the victims and listen to voices from the field to ensure they are not alone. This is a field-oriented, victim-centered approach."

She further stated, "We will implement each step from healing the victims to establishing legislation to eradicate sexual violence," adding, "Seoul remains silent as if nothing has happened. The purpose of the special committee is to break this silence. I recall former President Kim Dae-jung's words that silence and neglect are on the side of evil."

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