Controversy Over Sexual Harassment Remarks by Yang Tae-seok, Member of the People Power Party, Resigns from Party

Yang Tae-seok, a member of the Geoje City Council in Gyeongnam Province who has been embroiled in controversy over alleged sexually harassing remarks toward a female resident, is leaving the People Power Party.

On the 26th, Yang issued a statement saying, “I bow my head and apologize for causing concern to the citizens of Geoje due to my shortcomings,” and added, “Today, with a heart that feels like cutting through bone, I am leaving the People Power Party.”

He is accused of placing both hands on a specific part of his body while responding to a female council member’s remark, “Councilman, buy me a cup of coffee,” during the Dongbu-myeon Residents’ Autonomy Committee general meeting on the 20th by saying, “I have no money, and all I have are these two pieces.”

Yang Tae-seok, Member of Geoje City Council, Gyeongnam. [Photo by Geoje City Council]

Yang explained, “There was a gathering to greet the female members of the Dongbu-myeon Residents’ Autonomy Committee at the Chamsari Cafe, and the incident began during the process of greeting about ten people gathered at the cafe.”

He clarified, “Election laws prohibit candidates or elected officials from requesting money or providing group meals. At that time, in an attempt to wisely avoid misunderstanding the situation, I carelessly used the inappropriate expression that all I had were these two pieces.”

He continued, “I clearly apologized to the person who raised the issue at that time and apologized three times via text messages and four times by phone.”

Regarding the claim that he placed both hands on his private parts, he said, “This is not true according to my conscience. I was holding a mobile phone in my hands, and before moving from the spot, I was greeting people by bringing my hands forward as I usually do.”

Yang said, “Regardless of the reason, I sincerely apologize once again for my inappropriate remarks leading to a sexual harassment controversy,” and added, “After my unrefined expression caused a stir, I have been making efforts to correct my poor language habits as a public figure and will be more cautious in my words and actions.”

He added, “Regardless of my departure from the party, if the party conducts its own investigation, I will sincerely cooperate.”

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