Lee Jae-myung "Sorry for Ruling Party's Power-type Sexual Crimes"... Sim Sang-jung "There Are Secondary Perpetrators in Lee's Campaign Headquarters"

Public Apology for Intra-Party Power-Related Sexual Crimes and Secondary Harm
Shen Criticized Last Month's Debate, Saying "Secondary Harm Actors of 'Ahn Hee-jung Case' in the Ruling Party's Campaign Committee"
Lee Said, "With 2,000 Members in the Campaign Committee, It's Hard to Identify Who They Are"

On the 2nd, one week before the 20th presidential election, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, who attended the 3rd invited candidates debate of the 20th presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, are greeting each other. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for the power-based sexual crimes committed by metropolitan government heads belonging to the Democratic Party, including the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, former Chungnam governor Ahn Hee-jung, and former Busan mayor Oh Keo-don, as well as the secondary harm caused by party members.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, before the question on women's policy at the presidential candidate TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission, candidate Lee said, "There are metropolitan government heads from the Democratic Party who committed power-based sexual crimes, and some participated in secondary harm under the name of 'victim complainants.' Many people have been hurt and criticized because responsibility was not taken until the end, and nominations were even made," offering an apology.

Candidate Lee continued, "Since we will have questions and discussions about women's policy today, I would like to start by apologizing. I understand the severity of the public's reprimand and will ensure that such incidents do not happen again," bowing his head.

Candidate Shim pointed out that a secondary perpetrator in the sexual violence case involving former governor Ahn is active in the Democratic Party's election campaign committee. He asked Lee, "In the first TV debate, I mentioned that a secondary perpetrator of Ahn Hee-jung's sexual violence is working in the campaign committee. Have you investigated the facts and taken action?"

Lee replied, "I do not know who you are referring to," and added, "There are nearly 2,000 people in the campaign committee, so please understand that it is difficult to find someone with such a wide net."

Candidate Shim had previously, during the joint presidential candidate TV debate hosted by three broadcasting companies on the 3rd of last month, quoted a victim's writing about the case and asked, "People who helped the sexual violence perpetrator or caused secondary harm have been promoted to the Blue House or government positions, and they are also working in Lee Jae-myung's campaign committee. Are you aware of this?"

At that time, candidate Lee said, "Sexual violence using power relations must be held accountable. It is right not to protect or assign important public offices to such individuals," but also said, "I do not understand specifically who you are referring to regarding campaign committee participants."

Candidate Shim demanded, "You should accurately ascertain the facts, announce the results, and take appropriate measures," to which Lee responded, "That should be done. Please let me know later."

During the debate that day, candidate Shim criticized, "If (candidate Lee) promised on public broadcasting, in front of the people, to 'check and take action,' shouldn't there at least be a sincere procedure to confirm with the victim? This is too much. That should not be done."

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