"There May Be More Similar Incidents in the Military"… Kang Yong-seok Reports Jo Dong-yeon’s Rapist as an 'Unknown Person'

"Jo Dong-yeon, Attend and Identify the Perpetrator"

Attorney Kang Yong-seok (left) and Cho Dong-yeon, former co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint standing election committee. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon), operated by attorney Kang Yong-seok, filed a police complaint accusing an unidentified person of the crime of sexual assault by coercion in connection with the sexual assault case involving Cho Dong-yeon, former co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint election committee.

On the 7th, Attorney Kang wrote on his Facebook, "I extend my sincere condolences regarding the sexual assault victimization of former Chairman Cho," adding, "I fully understand that it is a past event that one wants to forget."

He continued, "However, for the sake of female juniors entering the military and improving military culture, Chairman Cho must take a stand," explaining, "President Moon Jae-in and Representative Song Young-gil have also insisted on a zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence in the military, and just five months ago, Representative Song even established a related special committee within the party."

He added, "What exactly is the closed atmosphere of the military that a captain from the Korea Military Academy was sexually assaulted and could not even tell her husband?" and "If the perpetrator was a general-level officer and she remained silent fearing it might affect promotions, now that she has retired, there is no reason to be afraid anymore."

Attorney Kang said, "I have submitted a complaint for former Chairman Cho, who may still be hesitating," and requested, "Former Chairman Cho should appear and identify the perpetrator."

Finally, he stated, "If the perpetrator sexually assaulted former Chairman Cho, who was married, it is unlikely that this was the only similar case in the military," and "For the sake of female military juniors and the reform of the dark and closed military culture, I once again send my support and encouragement for former Chairman Cho's courageous decision."

Attorney Kang Yong-seok filed a police complaint against an unidentified person on charges of sexual assault by coercion, stating he would find the perpetrator related to the sexual assault case involving Cho Dong-yeon, former co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint election campaign committee. / Photo by Kang Yong-seok Facebook capture

Earlier, Attorney Kang first raised suspicions of an extramarital child involving former Chairman Cho through the YouTube channel Gaseyeon. As the controversy grew, former Chairman Cho announced her intention to resign just two days after being appointed co-chair of the Democratic Party's joint election committee.

Subsequently, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the prosecution against Attorney Kang and Gaseyeon for defamation of candidates under the Public Official Election Act and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

Meanwhile, former Chairman Cho issued a statement regarding the extramarital child allegations, saying, "Around August 2010, I became pregnant unwillingly due to sexual violence by a third party, but due to the closed military culture, social atmosphere, and family illness, I could not bring myself to report it externally."

Cho’s legal representative, Attorney Yang Tae-jung, explained, "We explained the situation regarding the children having different fathers, and both the spouse and the spouse’s parents have understood it," adding that they also obtained the children’s consent.

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