[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don’s admission of sexual harassment and subsequent resignation, the United Future Party is politicizing the issue, stating that "this is not something that ends with resignation." Concerned about the impact on the general election, they are raising suspicions that the resignation timing was postponed until after the election and plan to respond at the party level. However, they remain cautious about secondary damage such as revealing the victim’s identity.
Shim Jae-cheol, acting leader of the United Future Party, said in a briefing after the Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 24th, "The fact that the resignation occurred after the general election indicates a very serious incident involving concealment using public authority."
He added, "This is not something that ends with former Mayor Oh’s apology and resignation. The party will consider all possible measures. The judicial authorities must severely punish sexual violence committed through coercion, and the Democratic Party should not dismiss this as merely the personal misconduct of former Mayor Oh but must also take appropriate responsibility for the administrative vacuum in Busan." Earlier, the United Future Party announced it would investigate the truth, including filing a prosecution complaint at the party level. Kim Seong-won, spokesperson for the United Future Party, said on the 23rd, "If this had happened before the general election, it would have affected the election," adding, "We are receiving detailed reports suggesting the victim was coerced."
The satellite party, the Future Korea Party, also stated through spokesperson Jo Su-jin, "Busan Mayor and public officials, who are obligated to refrain from election interference, proposed and negotiated with the victim’s side to postpone former Mayor Oh’s resignation until after the general election, considering the election, which raises significant concerns about violating election laws." She added, "An investigation is needed regarding the violation of Article 85 of the Public Official Election Act, which mandates neutrality and prohibits interference by public officials."
Lee Eon-ju, a United Future Party lawmaker who lost in the Busan Nam-gu Eul election, also posted on her Facebook, "Why did such a huge incident only come to light after the general election? Was the Democratic Party suppressing it to avoid affecting the election?" She demanded, "It must be revealed why this issue was quiet until now and why it has surfaced only recently."
However, at the same time, they appear cautious about secondary harm to the victim. Spokesperson Jo emphasized, "The victim’s identity must be absolutely protected. Under no circumstances should the identity be disclosed." Spokesperson Kim also mentioned, "Politicizing Me Too or sexual harassment cases can cause secondary harm."
The United Future Party is intensifying its offensive by mentioning sexual scandal allegations against Democratic Party figures, including Kim Nam-guk, the elected representative for Ansan Danwon, besides former Mayor Oh. Acting leader Shim said, "Since the 'Ahn Hee-jung Me Too' incident two years ago, the Democratic Party has seen a series of sexual scandals involving Jeong Bong-ju, Min Byung-doo, and Won Jong-geon, and the same applies to Kim, the elected representative for Ansan Danwon." He criticized, "Kim has appeared 23 times on podcasts that engage in misogyny and sexual harassment, participating in degrading women, yet he only claims there is no problem."
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