"Sexual Assault Perpetrator" vs "Must Be Polite": Controversy Over Condolence Visits for An Hee-jung's Mother's Funeral, What Do You Think?

Condolences from Politicians at An Hee-jung's Mother's Funeral, Criticism Arises
Justice Party: "Sending Wreaths While Holding Office Is Inappropriate"
Counterarguments Stress 'Courtesy Between People'
Some Netizens Show Solidarity by Purchasing Kim Ji-eun's Book

On the 5th, a condolence wreath from President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kwon Yang-sook was placed at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital, where the late mother of former Governor Ahn Hee-jung was lying in repose. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] Criticism has emerged from some quarters of the political world over the fact that ruling party figures, including President Moon Jae-in, sent condolence wreaths to the funeral hall for the late mother of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung.

They argue that "sending condolence wreaths to a person who was sentenced to prison for sexual violence by abuse of power could send the wrong message to society," expressing concern. On the other hand, voices defending the act have also appeared, saying, "Even if the crime is detestable, shouldn't we maintain human decency?" which is expected to intensify the conflict.

Earlier, former Governor Ahn, who lost his mother on the 4th, applied for a suspension of sentence on the 5th and was temporarily released. At the funeral hall set up at Seoul National University Hospital, condolence ribbons and wreaths sent by President Moon, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon were placed, and a procession of ruling party figures paying respects followed.

However, some in the political world criticized this as a hasty action.

Cho Hye-min, spokesperson for the Justice Party, issued a statement on the 6th, saying, "Former Governor Ahn was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison by the Supreme Court as a perpetrator of sexual violence by abuse of power," and criticized, "What does it mean that the Democratic Party leader, floor leader, and the president sent condolence wreaths under their official titles? Politicians should know that their actions and messages are not personal but represent the party's message."

The 'National Assembly Feminists' group, a feminist organization of female workers in the National Assembly, also issued a statement titled "Ahn Hee-jung is no longer a governor" on the same day, urging that condolence wreaths and ribbons be paid for by the individual lawmakers. They emphasized, "It may be natural to personally visit a colleague who has lost a mother and share grief, but Ahn is no longer the governor of Chungnam."

They added, "Condolences should not be expressed in the name of the government, political parties, or ministries," and pointed out, "The cost of condolence wreaths and ribbons was likely paid with taxpayers' money or donations."

Former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung is getting into a vehicle after leaving Gwangju Prison on the afternoon of the 5th. The prosecution accepted the application for suspension of sentence execution, and former Governor Ahn was temporarily released until 5 p.m. on the 9th. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, some voices argued that such criticism was too harsh. Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the United Future Party, wrote on Facebook on the 7th, "The Justice Party is really mean," and claimed, "Even mortal enemies express condolences when someone passes away, so criticizing sending condolence wreaths for former Governor Ahn's mother's funeral is too harsh."

Jeon Woo-yong, a visiting professor at the Academy of Korean Studies with a pro-Moon stance, pointed out on the same day that President Moon had sent a condolence wreath to the late former Justice Party lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan's funeral, saying, "Even the United Future Party in the past did not criticize sending a wreath with the president's title to the funeral of someone who took extreme measures after accepting bribes," and questioned, "Even if the crime is detestable, shouldn't human decency be maintained?"

As controversy grows in the political world over condolences for former Governor Ahn, public reactions are also divided.

A 31-year-old office worker A said, "If you say you stand with the victim and then show such familiarity to the person who was expelled, you can't help but doubt the sincerity," and added, "I think it is natural for the Democratic Party to be criticized."

Another office worker B (27) said, "I think personal condolences are possible. The problem is sending wreaths with one's official title," and criticized, "It can only be seen as a reckless act as a public official."

On the other hand, there was also a counterargument that condolences should rightfully be expressed. A 30-something office worker C said, "Isn't this the funeral of Ahn Hee-jung as a person, not as a politician?" and added, "It feels uncomfortable that personal matters are turning into political disputes."

Members of the "An Hee-jung Sexual Violence Case Joint Countermeasure Committee" held a press conference on the Supreme Court's appeal ruling regarding the sexual violence case of former Chungnam Governor An Hee-jung in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of September 9 last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, some netizens engaged in so-called "solidarity actions" by purchasing the book "This is Kim Ji-eun," written by Kim Ji-eun, who had previously accused former Governor Ahn of sexual violence.

The book records the 544 days from March 5, 2018, when Kim, who was Ahn's executive secretary, reported the sexual violence, until the Supreme Court's final guilty verdict on September 9 last year.

On social networking services such as Twitter, many posts appeared showing proof of purchase of this book along with messages supporting sexual violence victims. "This is Kim Ji-eun" ranked 6th in Aladin's overall bestseller list and 1st in the social science category on the 7th, and also topped Kyobo Bookstore's daily bestseller list in the politics and society category.

Meanwhile, former Governor Ahn is serving a 3 years and 6 months prison sentence after being convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting Kim using his position of power. He is accused of sexually assaulting Kim four times between July 2017 and February of the following year in Russia, Switzerland, and Seoul, and of forcibly molesting her multiple times.

In the first trial, the court found it difficult to believe Kim's testimony and ruled that there was no abuse of power by Ahn, acquitting him. However, the second trial found Kim's testimony consistent and ruled that Ahn abused his power to violate the victim's sexual autonomy, sentencing him to prison.

The Supreme Court ruled in September last year that Kim's testimony was credible and upheld the lower court's verdict.