Claiming to be a victim... Ruling party's late apology to the victim

No Mention Immediately After Press Conference
Spokesperson's Message After 9 Hours

On the morning of the 17th, a seat was prepared for the victim of the late Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual violence case at a press conference titled "Speaking Together with the Victims of the Seoul Mayor's Sexual Violence Case," held at a hotel in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The victim was scheduled to attend the press conference in person and speak about the case but did not consent to media exposure. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 18th, a day after the press conference held by the sexual harassment victim of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, bowed his head and said, "Once again, on behalf of the party, I sincerely apologize to the victim." After the press conference the previous day, Kim had been reserved with reporters, saying, "I don't know anything right now." Lee Nak-yeon, Co-Chairman of the Joint Election Committee, also avoided a direct answer by saying, "I don't know well." Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun said, "I need time to think seriously."

This led to criticism of the late apology and complacent response. As the situation worsened, the Democratic Party issued an apology message through a spokesperson nine hours after the press conference ended, stating, "We will take all measures to prevent recurrence." Candidate Park also asked for forgiveness late on the night of the 17th, saying, "Please tell me everything you want to say to other members of our party. I will bear all responsibility."

However, there was still no mention that day regarding party-level disciplinary actions against lawmakers Go Min-jung, Nam In-soon, and Jin Sun-mi, as demanded by the victim. A key Democratic Party official said, "There is not yet a unified opinion at the leadership level on that matter; we need to discuss it a bit more."

As the Democratic Party’s ‘delayed response’ appeared to become a negative factor in the election, opposition parties intensified their pressure. Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate, pointed out that all the individuals the victim demanded be disciplined were in Park’s campaign team and argued, "She should resign." Oh also told candidate Park that day, "You should immediately kneel down and apologize, deal with the three problematic figures, and demand disciplinary action from the party. Is this something to think about at home?" He added, "Resign and apologize to the victim." Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, raised his voice, saying, "The roles of perpetrator and victim have been reversed, and secondary harm centered on the Democratic Party has continuously tormented the victim," and "I hope citizens punish the reckless and arrogant Democratic Party in the April 7 by-elections."

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