"'A Butt Tap Between Men' Comment by Song Young-gil Deemed Inappropriate"

Song Young-gil Sparks Controversy with Remarks Defending Diplomat Accused of Sexual Harassment

Song Young-gil, member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. He is speaking at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the morning of the 14th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Amid controversy over Song Young-gil, a member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, defending a Korean diplomat accused of sexually harassing a local male employee while stationed in New Zealand, some legal experts have criticized that the act itself constitutes sexual harassment regardless of the victim's gender.

On the 20th, lawyer Gu Jeong-mo appeared on YTN Radio's 'Starting New Morning' and said, "It seems that Representative Song suggested it might be a 'cultural difference,' but we need to examine this from a legal perspective first," adding, "Sexual harassment between the same sex is possible and is stipulated in our criminal law, so saying it is a cultural difference is inappropriate."

Lawyer Gu explained, "In the past, our criminal law limited the target of harassment to women, but now it simply refers to people. Also, there is no provision stating that 'the target of harassment must be of a different gender than the harasser.'"

He continued, "If there is a cultural difference, the role of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee chairman would be to encourage diplomats to understand this and perform their duties well," and criticized, "It seems to me that he spoke from the opposite standpoint, so I think it was ultimately inappropriate."

Lawyer Jeong Tae-won, who appeared on the same program, also emphasized, "The chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee should not make such remarks," and stressed, "Sexual harassment between the same sex has already been punished extensively in Korea."

Lawyer Jeong added, "There are cases like juniors in workplaces or the military touching buttocks. All have been punished," and criticized, "Each time, the perpetrator says 'there was no sexual intent' or 'it was a joke,' but from the victim's perspective, who does not consent, they inevitably feel sexual disgust. Such cases are punishable, so Representative Song's remarks are very inappropriate."

He also warned, "The chairman's remarks might appear in New Zealand media and could lead to misunderstandings such as 'Korea is a really uncivilized country,'" and urged, "He said something better left unsaid, and if mishandled, this could escalate diplomatic issues. He should be more careful with his words."

A recent image of Song Young-gil, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been embroiled in controversy for defending a Korean diplomat accused of sexual harassment / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 19th, Representative Song stated on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Among close friends, men sometimes lightly tap each other's stomachs or buttocks," and claimed, "(I received a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the handling of the issue) I think there is also a cultural difference. New Zealand is quite open to homosexuality."

Song said, "The person involved is a male employee in his early 40s, about 180 cm tall and of similar build. He was close with the consul who is known as the perpetrator," and added, "The problem is that the man could have felt uncomfortable. Therefore, he received a warning and later a pay cut. I will check the situation again."

However, regarding New Zealand's demand for extradition of the diplomat, he expressed, "That seems like an 'overreaction,'" and stated, "I think it is premature for the Prime Minister to raise such an issue during a call with the President."

Meanwhile, diplomat A is accused of sexually harassing a male employee three times, including touching his body parts, while working at the Embassy in New Zealand at the end of 2017. The New Zealand government has requested a direct investigation into the matter.

According to local online media Stuff on the 29th of last month, A denied the allegations, saying, "I am neither homosexual nor a sexual deviant. How could I sexually harass a white man stronger than me?"

As the controversy spread, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered A's immediate return on the 3rd as a personnel measure due to "causing various controversies." A returned to Korea from the Philippines, where he was stationed, on the 17th. It is reported that A was assigned to headquarters without a position. Following quarantine regulations, A plans to undergo two weeks of self-isolation.

Since A received a one-month pay cut as a disciplinary action in last year's Ministry of Foreign Affairs audit, the ministry plans to carefully decide on follow-up measures such as reinvestigation, considering the principle of non bis in idem.

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