Bereaved Family of Park Won-soon Claims "Park Won-soon Was Actually the Victim of Sexual Harassment"

by Kim Daehyun

Published 20 Apr.2023 13:48(KST)

The family of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon argued that "the deceased (former Mayor Park), who was the victim of sexual harassment, is being portrayed as the perpetrator," claiming that the first trial ruling, which acknowledged 'sexual harassment of a subordinate employee,' was incorrect.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the first appellate hearing held on the 20th before the Seoul High Court Administrative Division 9-1 (Presiding Judges Kim Mu-shin, Kim Seung-joo, Jo Chan-young), Park's spouse Kang Nan-hee's legal representative stated, "(The first trial) has substantive defects, such as excluding the part where the victim's side started the text message with 'I love you.'"

The legal representative emphasized, "The first trial did not guarantee the right to cross-examination and relied on inconsistent witness testimonies." Additionally, they pointed out procedural defects in the National Human Rights Commission's ex officio investigation conducted after former Mayor Park's death.

Kang also appeared in court and appealed to the judges, saying, "My husband is an unjust victim," and urged, "Please do not ignore the truth and deliver a just verdict." The court decided to hold the second hearing on June 22.

Former Mayor Park was accused of forcible molestation by a subordinate Seoul city official and was found dead near Sukjeongmun Gate on Bukaksan Mountain on July 9, 2020. The police closed the investigation due to his death, but the Human Rights Commission recognized Park's sexual harassment behavior through an ex officio investigation in January 2021.

Kang filed an annulment lawsuit against the Human Rights Commission to cancel the recommendation decision, but the first trial ruled against Kang in November last year.

The first trial court stated, "It is recognized that former Mayor Park's actions caused sexual humiliation or discomfort to the victim, thus constituting sexual harassment," and added, "There is no abuse of discretion in the Human Rights Commission's recommendation decision aimed at victim relief and institutional improvement."

Furthermore, the court explained, "The witnesses' testimonies are based on what they directly observed, detailing the time, place, and circumstances. The specificity is such that it would be difficult to express without experience." It was confirmed through Telegram recovery that former Mayor Park sent messages such as 'I need to get a husband quickly' and 'You always know by my side.' The court also judged as factual the parts where Park sent selfie photos and provocative female emoticons, and touched one of the victim's nails during work in his office.