'Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Aide' Lawmaker Park Wan-joo Denies All Charges: "No Facts of Harassment"

Park Wanju, an independent lawmaker (57) accused of sexually harassing an aide, denied all charges at his first trial.

At the first trial held on the 30th at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 14 (Presiding Judge Jang Seonghun), Park's defense team denied all the prosecution's allegations, which include forced sexual assault causing injury, abuse of authority, and defamation.

Park Wan-joo, Independent lawmaker

Park's defense attorney argued regarding the forced sexual assault causing injury charge, "There was no such act of forced sexual assault, and a thorough review is needed to determine whether the injury part can be recognized as bodily harm." Regarding abuse of authority, the attorney added, "Although there was a request for dismissal from office, since the victim is still working at the same rank, no obstruction of rights has occurred."

Regarding defamation, the defense stated, "The prosecution also holds the position that it constitutes defamation by stating facts. However, considering the attendees, identities, content of statements, and circumstances of the testimony, we maintain that there was no intent to defame the victim."

According to the prosecution, Park is accused of forcibly sexually assaulting A, who was then his aide, at a karaoke bar and a nearby underground parking lot in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, in December 2021, causing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Park is also charged with abusing his authority by requesting A's dismissal and defaming A by stating, in front of local lawmakers and aides at a restaurant in Cheonan, Chungnam, that A made unilateral excessive demands related to a sexual violence settlement.

Park was expelled from the Democratic Party in May last year due to this incident. At the time of the expulsion decision, Park Jihyun, former co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Committee, met with reporters before the trial and said, "Since this is a case I handled, I came to stand in solidarity with the victim and to watch over the perpetrator," adding, "Politics should be beside the socially vulnerable and victims, but since it is not, I came with a stronger resolve to show solidarity."

When Park arrived at the trial and was asked by reporters, "Do you deny all charges?" he replied, "Our lawyer will state our position in court."

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