Song Young-gil Said "Men Also Hit Each Other's Butts"... United Future Party Asks "Are You Defending the Perpetrator?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Future United Party criticized Song Young-gil, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, for defending the diplomatic sexual harassment allegations in New Zealand by citing "cultural differences," calling it a "shameful 'perpetrator-centered approach'" of the chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the Republic of Korea.

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson of the United Party, said in a statement on the 19th, "The Democratic Party of Korea, which is eager to cover up any fault if it involves the government and ruling party, is now even adopting a 'perpetrator-centered approach' in sexual harassment cases."

On the same day, Chairman Song appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" and said regarding the New Zealand diplomatic sexual harassment allegations, "(The victim is not a woman but) a male staff member who is 180 cm tall and built like that," adding, "Among close friends, men sometimes lightly tap each other's stomachs or buttocks," he said. He also stated, "New Zealand is quite open to homosexuality, and there are cultural differences," calling New Zealand's request for extradition "an overreaction."

Deputy spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "The chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, who should be raising his voice to criticize the diplomat who hurt the victim and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its complacent response, is instead covering for the government by recklessly pushing illogical arguments just because he belongs to the ruling party, even to the extent of hurting the victim," adding, "Sexual violence is a serious issue that occurs regardless of heterosexual or homosexual relationships."

He criticized, "Who would tap someone's stomach or buttocks just because they are close? It is an utterly incomprehensible statement from a common-sense perspective," and said, "Just a few days ago, President Moon Jae-in emphasized 'victim-centeredness,' stating that the incident should be viewed and understood from the victim's perspective, but instead, by invoking cultural differences and implying that the New Zealand victim misunderstood, it is a 'perpetrator-centered approach.'"

Deputy spokesperson Hwang added, "This sexual harassment case is a serious matter reported by local New Zealand media and even mentioned by the New Zealand Prime Minister during a call with the President, causing international embarrassment," and pointed out, "It is shameful if Chairman Song's remarks become known, causing the victim further pain and leading to more international disgrace."

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