"Let's Create Solutions for Power-Based Sexual Crimes and n번방"... United Future Party Sexual Violence Special Committee 1st Meeting

"'Seongnuridang' Called for Reflection on the Past and Need for Change" Criticism Also Raised

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the 20th, the United Future Party held its first meeting of the Special Committee on Sexual Violence Countermeasures and announced, "We will meet victims of power-based sexual crimes, the n-bang case, stalking, and dating violence to enact laws that encompass all sexual crimes." During the meeting, voices of self-reflection also emerged, emphasizing the need to reflect on past mistakes, including the party’s former nickname "Seongnuri Party."

Kim Jeong-jae, chairman of the United Future Party’s Special Committee on Sexual Violence, said at the first meeting held in the National Assembly main building that morning, "(Sexual violence) is not someone else’s issue but my issue, my child’s issue, my family’s issue."

He stated, "Recently, various forms of violence such as power-based sexual crimes, digital sexual crimes, stalking, and dating violence have been occurring," and added, "We are focusing on meeting victims and social organizations to deeply discuss institutional and cultural issues and to enact laws that can cover all sexual crimes." Regarding the timing of the legislation, he emphasized, "We will comprehensively create proper related laws before the snow falls this winter."

Chairman Kim said, "The focus of activating this special committee is the victims," and added, "Because the social awareness level is low and the atmosphere is harsh, victims are fighting alone, so victim protection measures are necessary."

He continued, "Perpetrators are forgotten over time, and because laws and systems are not well established, light punishments lead to recidivism," and added, "If reoffenses occur, aggravated punishment is necessary."

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University, who participated as a committee member, said, "There are various sexual infringements in Korean society, and calling them only sexual violence is too narrow a scope," and added, "There are many legislative issues that were attempted but effectively failed, and I ask the committee to take an active legislative role." Professor Lee faced criticism from ruling party supporters after joining the committee.

Attorney Hong Ji-hye said, "Sexual violence is no different from violence, but because it is labeled as sexual, victims are misunderstood," and added, "It is unfortunate that it seems to become a subject of political strife in the National Assembly, and I hope this will be an opportunity to develop through substantial, not formal, activities."

United Future Party lawmaker Seo Beom-su said, "Let’s steadily address institutional and legal aspects one by one within our party," and lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee also said, "Starting with power-based sexual crimes, we will comprehensively review various forms of violence such as child sexual crimes, stalking, and dating violence, and create institutional preventive measures."

There were also calls to "tie up loose ends" regarding past sexual misconduct during the Saenuri Party era, prompted by the special committee’s activities. Jang Jin-young, chairman of the United Future Party’s Dongjak-gap district party committee and a committee member, said, "If our party has such a special committee, many will ask, 'Do you have the right to raise these issues?'" and added, "Until not long ago, there were many incidents and criticisms mocking the party’s predecessor, the Saenuri Party, by calling it the 'Seongnuri Party.'"

Chairman Jang said, "They say to 'untie the knots of history,' and I hope this special committee will be an opportunity to untie the knots of our party’s past," and added, "Just as Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, knelt in Gwangju, if our special committee reflects on the past and tells the public that it will lead fundamental change, the issue of qualifications might be overcome."

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