"Sexual Harassment Is a Culture for the Democratic Party," Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes Song Young-gil for Defending Sexual Harassment Diplomat

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Song Young-gil, a member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, who became the center of controversy on the 19th for making supportive remarks about a Korean diplomat accused of sexual harassment of a local employee in New Zealand, saying, "Sexual harassment was a culture for the Democratic Party."

On the same day, former professor Jin posted on his Facebook, attaching an article containing Song's remarks, stating, "Let me be clear, sexual harassment is not a culture but a crime."

He then sarcastically added, "It was considered a unique Korean culture different from New Zealand," and "That's why local government heads tried to preserve traditional culture, but that led to trouble."

Earlier, in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Representative Song said, "(The Korean embassy) said it was between men, we sometimes lightly hit each other's stomachs or buttocks, claiming it was friendly. At that time, the issue could have been unpleasant from the man's perspective," sparking controversy.

He continued, "I received a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and think there is also a cultural difference," explaining, "New Zealand is quite open to homosexuality. My wife even mistook the person accused of sexual harassment for a female employee, but he is actually a male employee in his early 40s, about 180 cm tall, and built like me."

Regarding this, former professor Jin criticized, "Because a lawmaker has such perceptions, sexual harassment incidents keep happening in that party," adding, "Is it just a coincidence that they only grope?"

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government has demanded a direct investigation, stating that Korean diplomat Mr. A is accused of sexually harassing a local male employee by touching his body parts while working at the Korean Embassy in New Zealand in December 2017. Mr. A left New Zealand before the investigation by New Zealand authorities began due to the expiration of his term, and later, during an audit by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issue was revealed, resulting in a disciplinary action of a one-month pay cut in February 2019.

However, the victim reported the case to the New Zealand police in October 2019, and the New Zealand judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant for Mr. A and requested investigative cooperation from the Korean government. Due to the Korean government's non-cooperation, a proper investigation was not conducted. In response, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern raised the issue during a call with President Moon Jae-in last month, and eventually, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently recalled Mr. A, who was serving in the Philippines.

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