Former Miraedang Leader O Taeyang Arrested on Sexual Harassment Charges... "Risk of Flight"

O Tae-yang, the Future Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is seated at the Seoul mayoral by-election candidate debate held on the 29th at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The Women and Children Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jang Hye-young) arrested Oh Tae-yang (48), former co-representative of the Future Party, on the 18th on charges of sexually assaulting a drunken woman.

Hong Ki-chan, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing for Oh in the afternoon and issued an arrest warrant, stating there was a "risk of flight."

According to the prosecution and police, Oh is accused of taking a woman who had collapsed drunk on the street to a nearby motel in May last year, sexually assaulting her, and taking her wallet without returning it (charges include quasi-forced sexual assault).

He reportedly denies the charges, claiming he was trying to help the woman.

Oh, who gained attention in 2001 for declaring conscientious objection to military service, ran unsuccessfully in the 21st general election in 2020 and the Seoul mayoral election the following year.

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