'Supporting Actor Sexual Assault Case' All Women in Their 20s Made Extreme Choices
Father Also Dies of Cerebral Hemorrhage Due to Shock from Incident
Victim's Mother Jang Calls for Severe Punishment of Perpetrator via YouTube
Jang Yeon-rok, who lost her two daughters and husband in a sexual assault case, is urging severe punishment for the perpetrator through YouTube. Photo by Jang Yeon-rok (YouTube account capture)
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "It’s truly heartbreaking, but I endure it. Because I am a mother."
On the 3rd, Jang Yeon-rok (67), the mother of the so-called 'Supporting Actress Sisters Sexual Assault Case' victims, who spoke with Asia Economy, recently started a YouTube channel.
She started it to raise more awareness about the unjust deaths of her daughters, who were brutally sexually assaulted and took their own lives as a result. Although she is currently facing numerous lawsuits and complaints since starting YouTube, she said she will fight even harder for those who encourage and support her through comments.
The 'Supporting Actress Sisters’ Extreme Choice' case began when Jang’s daughter was sexually assaulted. In 2004, A, a graduate student, reported to the police that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by 12 officials managing actors while working part-time as a supporting actress in a drama.
However, during the investigation, she withdrew the complaint citing secondary victimization. Later, showing symptoms of mental illness, she took her own life in 2009.
A’s younger sister, who introduced her to the part-time job, also took her own life out of guilt. The victims’ father died of a cerebral hemorrhage, shocked by the deaths of his two daughters.
Left alone in the world in an instant, mother Jang has since been holding rallies and protests demanding strict punishment for the perpetrators and justice for her daughters’ unjust deaths.
Since 2018, Jang has been raising awareness about the case through YouTube. Recently, she released a video titled 'Disclosure of Perpetrators’ Identities,' which, as of today (the 3rd), has recorded 266,683 views and over 2,326 comments, attracting significant attention on YouTube. Her subscriber count has surpassed 20,000.
Jang Yeon-rok, who lost her two daughters and husband in a sexual assault case, is urging severe punishment for the perpetrator through YouTube. Photo by Jang Yeon-rok (YouTube account capture)
The following is a Q&A with Ms. Jang.
▲ Running a YouTube channel and editing videos must not be easy
= It’s so clumsy that I’m embarrassed. I’m old and uneducated, so I don’t really know how to do this. But I do it because I’m a mother. To let the world know about my daughters’ unjust deaths.
Recently, a female university student contacted me, offering to edit the videos herself. She edited the videos very smoothly. I’m really grateful and also somewhat sorry.
It’s terrible that such a young student had to learn about such a horrific case. I’m truly sorry and thankful. Also, a man who introduced himself as a researcher created a cafe and expressed solidarity to resolve the issue.
▲ There are many comments on the videos, and many are encouraging and supportive
= Honestly, both my body and mind are very exhausted. But when I see comments telling me to stay strong, I really feel energized. It gives me the strength to get up and fight. These people are truly precious, and I feel both sorry and grateful. I am truly thankful.
▲ You recently posted a video revealing the perpetrators’ identities, which has surpassed 200,000 views. Are you worried about legal risks?
= Every day feels like a lawsuit. I’m not scared. I’m not afraid. I’ve already been sued just for running this YouTube channel. Nevertheless, I will not stop and will keep fighting. For my daughters. I plan to keep fighting. However, I am a bit worried about the legal fees. I have asked for support to cover litigation costs.
▲ Have the perpetrators involved in the case expressed any intention to apologize?
= Not at all. If anyone had apologized, I wouldn’t be fighting this hard.
On August 28, 2018, at 11 a.m., a memorial funeral for them was held in Room 207 of the National Medical Center Funeral Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. The photo shows the portrait of the two sisters at that time. Photo by Yonhap News Agency y capture
▲ A took her life on August 28, 2009, at 18:18:18 on the 18th floor
= That’s right. Moreover, she had 8,000 won in her wallet. The waiting room at the funeral hall was also Room 8. How much pain must she have felt to do that? I still feel so angry and resentful. It’s so sad.
▲ What would you like to say to your daughters?
= I miss them so, so much, and it still feels as vivid as if it happened just moments ago. It feels like they could open the door and call out "Mom" at any moment. Since my daughters tell me to avenge their grievances, that’s what I intend to do.
In the past, I was so overwhelmed that I attempted 'extreme choices' many times. But now, I don’t plan to do that anymore. I have to avenge my daughters. Once I achieve that goal and return, I hope my daughters won’t pretend not to know me. I miss them so much.
Jang Yeon-rok is informing pedestrians about the incident on the street. Photo by Jang Yeon-rok, YouTube capture.
◆ Investigation Authorities’ 'Secondary Victimization' Controversy… Police Punishment Demanded, Blue House Petition Surpasses 200,000 Signatures
This case also sparked social outrage due to severe secondary victimization. According to Ms. Jang, the police investigating the case asked A to draw the perpetrator’s genitals in detail, including color, circumference, and size, providing her with A4 paper and a ruler.
Jang also claimed that the perpetrator and victim were interrogated together without partitions. The police reportedly laughed while asking the suspect to describe the sexual assault in detail. When Jang took A out of the police station, A ran into the street immediately after leaving.
Jang held solo protests holding placards with the perpetrators’ names but was instead sued for defamation. The court ruled her not guilty, stating, "Witnessing the tragic failure of public authority and the intensified suffering of A and her sister, we cannot help but feel deep frustration and sorrow."
As controversy over the police’s 'secondary victimization' arose, petitions demanding a thorough investigation were submitted to the Blue House, with one petition surpassing 200,000 signatures, prompting an official response.
On April 13 last year, the Blue House announced it would "comprehensively review the investigation system" regarding 'secondary victimization' inflicted by police and other investigative agencies on sexual assault victims.
The Blue House criticized the police’s secondary victimization, stating, "During the investigation, victim protection and prevention of secondary harm should have been the top priorities. If instead, the victim, who was undergoing psychiatric treatment, was verbally hurt, it is a grave mistake that has angered the entire nation."
They added, "We will develop a 'Standard Model for Investigating Sexual Assault Victims' to ensure victims can be investigated in a stable state and educate police officers accordingly, comprehensively reviewing the investigation system."
On August 28, 2018, at 11 a.m., a memorial funeral for them was held in Room 207 of the National Medical Center Funeral Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
◆ Funeral Held Nine Years After Incident… Jang Yeon-rok: "I Will Fight Hard Again This Year"
The two sisters’ funeral was held on August 28, 2018, at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. The memorial service was funded anonymously and supported by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korea Women’s Human Rights Institute. It was held more than nine years after the incident.
At the time, Park Chang-ho, head of the Sexual Violence Countermeasures Division at the National Police Agency’s Public Safety Bureau, told reporters, "We have completed investigations on 17 out of 20 suspects. One person is reachable but refuses to be investigated, and one is missing."
He added, "One police officer, known as a secondary perpetrator, is currently overseas after retirement, so we have not been able to investigate him. Once contact and investigations are completed, we will move to the next phase."
Meanwhile, Ms. Jang stated she will fight even harder in 2020. She emphasized, "I want to fight hard to repay those who support and remember this case." She added, "Many people tell me to stay strong, and I am truly, truly grateful."
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