Im Eun-jeong: "The Prosecutors' Office Allows a Senior Official Who Received Sexual Bribery to Become Deputy Minister of Justice... They Can't Help but Be Lenient on the Nth Room Case"

Lim Eun-jeong, Chief Prosecutor at Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Shin-won] Im Eun-jung, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, spoke out regarding criticisms that the prosecution has been lenient in handling the so-called 'n번방' (Nth Room) case.

On the 26th, Deputy Chief Im wrote on her Facebook, "I received a protest call from a university junior who was outraged by the Nth Room case, asking why the prosecution is so lenient." She added, "I told them, 'What’s surprising? The prosecution had an executive who filmed adult videos while receiving sexual favors at a villa, who later became the Deputy Minister of Justice and almost the Prosecutor General.' As a member of the prosecution and a victim of sexual violence, I feel very embarrassed and angry."

She also revealed that she was a victim of sexual harassment within the prosecution in the past. Deputy Chief Im said, "When I raised issues about a chief who had a sponsor and even engaged in prostitution, I was called a 'female prosecutor who flirts with the chief and then betrays him like a venomous snake,' and I was also labeled a 'promiscuous woman.'"

Furthermore, she pointed out, "Many people superficially perceive sexual violence cases like the Nth Room incident as issues between men and women, but it is a matter of power. It is no different in essence from abuse of power, impunity for the privileged, and preferential treatment for former officials."

Finally, she wrote, "To everyone who is angry about the Nth Room case and other sexual violence incidents, I can only apologize as someone who is part of the prosecution." She continued, "Even if the government changes, society and the prosecution will not be transformed overnight. I am very sorry that the prosecution is in this state, but there are repair workers within the prosecution trying to fix the broken scales, so please do not give up on society and the prosecution, and continue to watch over, criticize, encourage, and support us."