Cheonan City Councilor Kang Seonggi Acquitted of Sexual Harassment Charges... Union Expresses "Deep Regret"

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The Cheonan City Hall Workers' Union (Cheongongno) expressed "deep regret" on April 21 regarding the acquittal of Cheonan City Council member Kang Seonggi, who had been under suspicion of sexual harassment.

In a statement released the same day, Cheongongno said, "We express our deep regret that Councilor Kang recently received a non-indictment decision from both the police and the prosecution," adding, "This decision can only be seen as disregarding both the courage of the victim who reported the incident and the seriousness of sexual misconduct issues."

The union further emphasized, "The non-indictment is merely a judgment on the 'sexual harassment' charge and does not mean that there was no sexual misconduct," and added, "It was confirmed during the police investigation that Councilor Kang made inappropriate remarks. The acquittal does not serve as a complete exoneration."

Cheongongno also called on the Cheonan City Council to provide education to prevent the recurrence of sexual harassment, to immediately operate a grievance review committee for sexual harassment and sexual violence, and to promptly convene the ethics committee. The union urged Councilor Kang to "offer a sincere apology and immediately cease any form of secondary harm."

In response, Councilor Kang stated in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "They are telling me to immediately stop secondary harm, but I have never done anything of the sort," and added, "Even after being acquitted, I have not made any separate statement and have remained silent."

Regarding his possible reinstatement to the People Power Party, Kang said, "Discussions are currently ongoing," declining to elaborate further.

Previously, in July of last year, Cheongongno held a press conference and announced that Councilor Kang had been reported for repeatedly harassing a female staff member in the standing committee to which he belonged.

Immediately after the report, Councilor Kang submitted his resignation from the People Power Party Chungnam Provincial Chapter, and members of the Democratic Party Chungnam Provincial Chapter called for his immediate resignation.

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