Women and Civic Groups: "Former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don’s Resignation Should Not Be a 'Face-Saving' Trick"

Former Governor Ahn Hee-jung Sexual Assault Case and Similar 'Power-Based Sexual Crimes'
"A Strategy to Downplay by Saying 'Within 5 Minutes, Regardless of Severity'"

"Former Mayor Oh Remembered as a Politician Who Contributed to Male Rape Culture"
Also Reported to Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office

Whereabouts Unknown... Police "Investigating Other Sexual Harassment Cases"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don admitted on the 23rd that he sexually harassed a female public official in her 20s and resigned from his mayoral position. This incident resembles the sexual violence case involving former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung. A local government head in a superior position used his power to commit a 'power-based sexual crime' against a subordinate female public official.

At his resignation press conference, former Mayor Oh said, "I bow my head and apologize to the citizens. During a short meeting of about five minutes with one person, I made unnecessary physical contact. Regardless of the severity, no behavior or words can be forgiven. I believe this is the only choice. Please remember me as someone who loved Busan very much. I am deeply sorry to the citizens."

Women’s and civic groups immediately issued statements. On the 23rd, the Korean Women’s Associations United said, "Trying to evade responsibility by resigning is not acceptable," emphasizing that "Former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don must receive appropriate punishment." They criticized former Mayor Oh for using phrases like 'for five minutes' and 'regardless of severity' at his resignation press conference to trivialize a clear crime, stating he must apologize to the victim and face legal punishment.

The Korean Women’s Associations United also pointed out, "The Me Too movement was triggered by the sexual violence case of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, and countless women are reporting and protesting sexual violence in daily life, but the male-dominated political sphere responds not with reflection, introspection, or change, but with yet another sexual violence incident."

The above photo is not related to the article. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The Gender Politics Research Institute Ye.Se.Ye also stated on the same day, "Resignation alone is not enough," adding, "Apologies are owed to the victim." They continued, "Former Mayor Oh ended his press conference by asking to be remembered as someone who loved Busan very much, but he will now be remembered not as a politician who loved Busan, but as a sexual offender politician who contributed to a male rape culture."

The Civic Group Committee for the Protection of the Common People and Livelihoods filed a complaint with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office against former Mayor Oh on charges including sexual harassment by abuse of power and abuse of authority. The group stated in the complaint, "Former Mayor Oh’s inappropriate behavior is a wrongful practice that goes against the current era’s trends and must be severely punished."

Currently, former Mayor Oh is reported to have gone into hiding after his resignation, and the Busan Police Agency is also investigating allegations of sexual harassment of a female public official by former Mayor Oh raised by a YouTube channel last October, in addition to this incident.