The First Official Appearance of Park Won-soon’s Victim: "From Start to Finish, I Am the Victim... Feeling Powerless"

Victim Complainant Terminology and Secondary Harm: "All Are Wrong"

A seat for the late Park Won-soon sexual violence case victim is prepared at the press conference titled "Speaking Together with the Victims of the Seoul Mayor's Sexual Violence Case," held on the morning of the 17th at a hotel in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The victim who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment attended a press conference in person for the first time since the incident to express her feelings. Victim A stated, "The clear fact is that I am the victim of this case from beginning to end," and added, "I feel powerless at the actions of people applauding the former mayor as if they do not acknowledge the victimization."

The Joint Action for the Seoul Mayor Power Sexual Violence Case held a press conference titled "Speaking Together with the Victim of the Seoul Mayor Power Sexual Violence Case" at a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, around 10 a.m. on the 17th.

On this day, A spoke out directly. She said, "I want to forgive for my recovery. However, in the current situation, I question who I can truly forgive and fear the reality I face." She continued, "The designation of the victim as a complainant and the distortion of the case, which condone severe secondary victimization, have been wrong from the start," and added, "I have suffered unbearable self-blame, wondering if the decision to file a complaint has made today so dreadful." A choked up several times while expressing her position.

Through a statement read by Song Ran-hee, Executive Director of Korea Women's Hotline, A also said, "I want to speak before it is too late. His power made it impossible to call out his wrongdoing or to say that he was wrong," and "His power made me refine and reconsider the content hundreds of times when telling others about his wrongdoing."

She went on, "His power continues to torment me due to people who do not acknowledge his wrongdoing even after he passed away," and "His power was used as a tool to protect the ideology of those who mercilessly harassed me, believing only they represented justice. His power still exists strongly," she pointed out.

Until now, A has conveyed her position through her legal team and support organizations. On July 22 of last year, she stated in a press release, "I hope the process will be revealed through lawful and reasonable procedures without any prejudice." She also addressed Nam In-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had been suspected of leaking information related to the sexual harassment accusation against former Mayor Park, saying, "Even now, acknowledge your wrongdoing in concealing the facts you knew, sincerely apologize to me, and resign from your position as a lawmaker."

To Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party candidate for the Seoul mayoral primary who had referred to Park Won-soon as a "role model," she questioned, "You said you would inherit the former mayor's policies, but will you also inherit policies such as having public officials receive proxy prescriptions, organizing the mayor’s underwear, and buying holiday food for the mayor’s family?" She urged, "Please, candidates for Seoul mayor this time, do not remain in the past, and based on reflection and introspection, create a better Seoul."

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