Will Justice Party Face Another Scandal... Gyeongnam Provincial Party Chair Accused of Sexual Harassment and Defamation Against Female City Council Colleague

Changwon City Council.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju-cheol In Joo] No Chang-seop, vice chairman of Changwon City Council in Gyeongnam and chairman of the Justice Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party, has been fined by summary order for spreading false rumors of sexual misconduct against a female fellow city council member. Following this, Democratic Party-affiliated council members demanded that Vice Chairman No take political and moral responsibility.

The Democratic Party Changwon City Council members (Democratic Party members) issued a statement on the 15th with the consent of the female victim council member. The Democratic Party members stated, "Due to the shock of the incident, the female council member has suffered from social phobia and depression for several months, and her legislative activities have been restricted," adding, "The dissemination of sexually harassing false information against female politicians not only obstructs female council members' legislative activities but also poses a serious crime that threatens their political careers." They further demanded active cooperation to help the female victim council member heal her wounds and pain and restore her daily life.

Vice Chairman No made remarks that could be perceived as sexual harassment toward a female Democratic Party Changwon city council member during a gathering with a fellow party member last year. These remarks were conveyed to the female council member through another city council member. The female council member filed a defamation lawsuit against Vice Chairman No, claiming he spread baseless rumors that damaged her reputation.

The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office judged that Vice Chairman No defamed the female council member by spreading false information and filed a summary indictment. On the 1st, the Changwon District Court issued a summary order fining Vice Chairman No 3 million KRW.

Vice Chairman No appealed the summary order and requested a formal trial. Vice Chairman No and the Justice Party members of Changwon City Council issued a statement rebutting the Democratic Party members' claims as "malicious stigmatization."

Vice Chairman No emphasized, "While returning home after a party event with a fellow party city council member, I mentioned an 'example of false information being spread' in the car while discussing the chaotic situation in the council at the time, intending to urge caution and better conduct as a public official. There was no intention to slander or defame."

He added, "Apart from legal responsibility, I have apologized publicly and privately several times for the Democratic Party female council member being hurt. Nevertheless, portraying this as sexual harassment seems like stigmatization and raises suspicion of political motives aimed at next year’s local elections."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party members plan to hold a press conference soon to once again urge Vice Chairman No to resign from his vice chairman position and take political responsibility.

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