"Protect Seoul City"… 'Victim Complainant' Gominjeong Embraced by Citizens, Tears Flow

Gominjung "Hugged tightly with citizens in the rain for a long time"
"Only a strong will to protect Seoul citizens remains"

Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung is seen shedding tears while being embraced by citizens at the campaign site of Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun on the 27th. / Photo by Go Min-jung Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Ko Minjung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who sparked controversy by referring to the victim of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual harassment case as a 'victim claimant,' has drawn attention by campaigning for her party’s Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun. Ko showed enthusiasm by participating in Park’s campaign events even on rainy mornings during the commute, and at one point, she was seen shedding tears while appealing for support in the arms of a citizen.

On the 27th, Ko wrote on her Facebook, "On a spring rainy afternoon, I met with residents of Gwangjin while appealing for support for candidate Park Young-sun," adding, "As I felt the chill in the somewhat cold weather, one person approached me and said, 'We support you. Don’t get tired. Let’s work together to protect Seoul,' and gave me a tight hug."

She continued, "Perhaps because I heard what I wanted to say, I couldn’t hold back my tears," and added, "We hugged each other for quite some time in the rain."

She then said, "Before I knew it, the cold had gone, leaving only warmth, courage, and a strong determination to protect the citizens of Seoul," emphasizing, "Together with more citizens, we will build a greater Seoul."

Photos posted on Facebook alongside the post show Ko being embraced by a citizen holding an umbrella, shedding tears. Supporters who saw the photos left encouraging comments such as "Stay strong," "Sorry for burdening the lawmakers with heavy responsibilities," and "Don’t cry."

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is holding a focused campaign rally on the morning of the 28th at the Gyeongbu Line square of the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

As the official campaign for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election has been underway since the 25th, Ko has been demonstrating her 'fighting spirit' for Park’s campaign by campaigning during the Seoul morning commute and through her personal YouTube channel.

On the 28th, she planned to visit Seoul’s Jayang Traditional Market, Children’s Grand Park, Yangkkochi Street, and Rodeo Street consecutively from 2 p.m., and at 9 p.m., she was scheduled to conduct campaign activities via 'Ko Minjung TV Live.'

During a live broadcast on the channel on the 25th, when a supporter commented, "Please take some rest," Ko replied, "I don’t have the mental leisure to rest," adding, "Elections are never easy and are tough, but today as well, I greeted people around Gwangjin District starting from 6:40 a.m."

Meanwhile, Ko previously served as the spokesperson for Park’s campaign but stepped down from the position on the 18th.

The victim, Ms. A, of the late Mayor Park’s sexual harassment case, held a press conference on the 17th, stating, "There are many people in the (Park candidate’s) campaign who hurt me," and urged, "There should have been acknowledgment of the facts and follow-up measures." This was interpreted as an indirect reference to lawmakers Nam In-soon, Jin Sun-mi, and Ko Minjung, who had joined Park’s campaign.

Earlier, these three lawmakers had referred to Ms. A as a 'victim claimant' during the early stages of the sexual harassment case, sparking controversy over secondary victimization.

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