"Park Won-soon Sexual Offender" vs "It's Sad" Former Mayor Park's Sexual Harassment Confirmed... Citizens' 'Anger and Frustration' [Reporter Han Goes]

Park Won-soon "I want to smell it," "Please send me the photo"
Human Rights Commission also acknowledges former Mayor Park's sexual harassment allegations as true following court ruling
Lee Nak-yeon, Democratic Party leader, "We take the Human Rights Commission's investigation results seriously... deeply apologize"
Civilians say "Sex offender Park Won-soon," "Achievements must be respected"

Seoul City Hall located in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the afternoon of the 27th, citizens met around City Hall expressed frustration over the Human Rights Commission's announcement on the 25th regarding former Mayor Park's sexual harassment allegations. Some even expressed anger, calling him a "sex offender Park Won-soon." Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Not a mayor, but a sex offender, Park Won-soon." , "It's really unfortunate. He did a lot of good things too..."

As both the court and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) acknowledged the sexual harassment allegations against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the Democratic Party of Korea bowed their heads to the victim and her family. The politically charged term "victim complainant" was not used. However, criticism arose that the apology came too late.

Citizens expressed frustration as the sexual harassment allegations against former Mayor Park were confirmed to be true. This seems to stem from the disappointment and emptiness felt towards a mayor who had been like a friend, having long served as Seoul's mayor, a politician, and an activist in civic groups. Some criticized, saying he was simply a sex offender and there was no reason to mourn a criminal.

On the 25th, the NHRCK announced the results regarding Park's sexual harassment allegations, stating, "Inappropriate messages and photos sent to the victim constitute sexual harassment as sexual conduct that causes sexual humiliation or disgust." Earlier, on the 14th, the court also recognized as factual the specific circumstances such as text messages sent by Park to the victim.

Following the court and the NHRCK's acknowledgment of Park's sexual harassment, and with political circles issuing apologies, citizens met in front of Seoul City Hall on the 27th showed confused expressions. Along with reactions of disbelief, considerable anger was also expressed.

Kim, a company employee in his 40s, criticized, "It's absurd. Can the mayor of Seoul really do such things? He should be punished, but he took his own life, which feels somewhat cowardly." He added, "It's fortunate that the truth about the sexual harassment has come to light now. There were many disputes about Park's sexual harassment, but I hope it's all over now."

On the other hand, some responses suggested recognizing Park's achievements as they are. They advocated separating merits and faults and recording them in history.

Park, a worker in his 30s, said, "Didn't Mayor Park Won-soon create many good policies for Seoul?" He added, "Sexual harassment should be criticized, but I don't think that fact negates his entire life." He continued, "I think I will be criticized for saying this, but this is just my honest feeling."

Meanwhile, some viewed the political apology as insufficient. Lee, a worker in his 40s, criticized, "They created the term 'victim complainant,' which I've never heard before, and dragged this issue along irresponsibly." He added, "At least the Democratic Party apologized now, so that's fortunate. But the apology is too late."

The 'I·SEOUL·U' slogan in front of Seoul City Hall means 'Seoul of You and Me.' It carries the message of respecting each other and creating a beautiful Seoul together. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

On the afternoon of the 25th, the NHRCK held a plenary session and resolved to cite the results of its ex officio investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Mayor Park.

The NHRCK stated, "We judged that the sexual conduct by former Mayor Park toward the victim constitutes sexual harassment under the Human Rights Commission Act, and decided to recommend improvements to Seoul City and related agencies for victim protection and prevention of recurrence."

Previously, the NHRCK discussed four agenda items: the Seoul City secretary operation practices, whether Park's conduct constituted sexual harassment, whether there was complicity or neglect regarding sexual harassment, and the response to the sexual harassment incident by secretariat staff and victim protection measures.

The NHRCK resolved, "The victim's claim that former Mayor Park sent inappropriate messages, photos, and emoticons late at night and touched her nails and hands with nail art in his office is deemed credible," adding, "Such acts by Park constitute sexual conduct that causes sexual humiliation or disgust."

The plenary session cited as grounds for this conclusion the victim's mobile phone digital forensic evidence, testimonies of witnesses, and the specificity and consistency of the victim's statements.

Former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was accused of sexual violence and took his own life in July last year
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 14th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Jo Seong-pil) held a sentencing hearing for Seoul City employee A, who was indicted on charges of quasi-rape causing injury, and sentenced him to 3 years and 6 months in prison, ordering immediate detention, citing the gravity of the crime.

The victim in this case is also the woman who accused Park Won-soon of sexual harassment. Last July, she filed a police complaint alleging continuous sexual harassment by Mayor Park. After the complaint, former Mayor Park was found dead by suicide.

The court stated, "The defendant A, intoxicated, sexually assaulted the victim who was unable to resist, causing injury, which is a serious offense," adding, "Furthermore, the crime was committed against a workplace colleague, causing significant secondary harm, and the victim is facing difficulties reintegrating into society."

The court also mentioned Park's sexual harassment. It said, "According to the victim's testimony, after working under former Mayor Park for one and a half years, Park sent obscene texts and photos of himself in underwear, and messages such as 'I want to smell you' and 'Please send me photos'." The court concluded, "Based on these statements, it is true that the victim suffered considerable mental distress due to Park's sexual harassment."

After the court and NHRCK announced that Park's sexual harassment allegations were confirmed, the Democratic Party apologized to the victim. On the 27th, Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said, "We take seriously the results of the NHRCK's ex officio investigation into former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual harassment," and "We deeply apologize once again to the victim and her family."

Meanwhile, prior to the NHRCK announcement, the victim's group 'Joint Action on the Seoul Mayor's Power Sexual Violence Case' held a press conference in front of the NHRCK in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th, urging the NHRCK to make a proper decision and reading aloud the victim's petition submitted to the NHRCK on the 4th.

In the petition, the victim said, "My last hope is the announcement of the NHRCK's ex officio investigation results," and "After the police's ambiguous investigation results, I suffered severe secondary harm. I don't understand why I, who tried my best to live, have to hide and live in silence," expressing her pain.

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