'Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Aide' Yang Hyang-ja Voluntarily Leaves Party… Democratic Party Says "Future Reinstatement Restrictions Likely"

Yang Hyang-ja, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, voluntarily left the party on the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yang Hyang-ja, a member of the Democratic Party who was expelled due to allegations of sexual misconduct by an employee belonging to a regional office, voluntarily withdrew from the party on the 13th. This came just one day after the party's Ethics Tribunal decided on her expulsion.

Ko Yong-jin, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after a closed Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, "Representative Yang has submitted her resignation from the party," adding, "Although the disciplinary action by the Ethics Tribunal remains in effect, it is expected that there will be restrictions on her future reinstatement or other party activities."

According to party rules, individuals involved in sexual crimes are not allowed to be reinstated, and in the case of Representative Yang, who is suspected of secondary victimization, she falls under this category.

The previous day, the party's Ethics Tribunal explained the reasons for Yang's expulsion decision as follows: ▲ her interviews denying any sexual violence-related content in the media, which can be seen as secondary victimization ▲ the severity of the offense leading to an arrest warrant being issued for the perpetrator ▲ attempts to appease the victim by offering employment assistance.

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