Court Orders Human Rights Commission to Submit Evidence of Park Won-soon Sexual Harassment

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] In the administrative lawsuit filed by the family of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon against the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), the court demanded that all evidence supporting the recognition of Park's sexual harassment allegations as fact be disclosed.

On the 30th, the Administrative Division 8 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jong-hwan) stated during the hearing of the 'cancellation of recommendation decision' lawsuit filed by Park's wife, Kang Nan-hee, against the NHRCK, "In a situation where the legality of the lawsuit is in question, no substantive evidence has been submitted," and made this remark.

In response, the NHRCK argued that "this case involved serious secondary harm, and if materials related to the victim's facts are submitted and disclosed, unpredictable additional human rights violations may occur," claiming that the related materials should remain confidential.

The court requested, "We are not asking for all materials to be submitted, but for the submission of key materials that demonstrate the legitimacy of the NHRCK's investigation," adding, "There is no reason for the court to disclose the materials, and the NHRCK should consider whether to submit them voluntarily."

Earlier, Kang's side applied to the court for a document submission order, demanding that the NHRCK submit all related information referenced in the decision, including statements from the victim and witnesses and text message contents. Kang attended the hearing in person on this day. She did not attend the first trial held last month.

When asked by the court if she had anything to say, Kang stated, "I believe the judge will make an accurate judgment. Since this is a country governed by the rule of law, I trust in a precise judgment." The third hearing of Kang's lawsuit to cancel the NHRCK's recommendation decision will be held on the morning of January 18 next year.

Meanwhile, on January 25, the NHRCK held a plenary session and announced the results of an ex officio investigation stating, "The sexual conduct committed by former Mayor Park against the victim is judged to constitute sexual harassment under the Human Rights Commission Act."

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