[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] On the 10th, Ryu Hojung, a Justice Party lawmaker, comforted a Seoul city employee who accused the late Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment by saying, "It is not your fault," and stated that she would not pay her respects to Mayor Park. Justice Party leader Shim Sang-jung and floor leader Bae Jin-gyo visited the funeral hall.
On the same day, Ryu posted on her Facebook, "Reading the condolence messages from those praying for the deceased, I once again confirm how wonderfully the deceased lived," adding, "However, I hope 'you' are not lonely."
Ryu said, "I hope you know that you are not alone?the one who had to endure being a target of harassment because you could not resist the authority of a respected person, the one who could only decide to file a complaint after receiving psychiatric counseling necessary for treatment and recovery, and the one who will have to hold down your chest to barely breathe amid the already beginning 'secondary harm' and personal information digging."
Quoting a line from the movie Good Will Hunting, "It's not your fault," she added, "I am also worried about the trauma of 'you all' who will recall 'my experience' from the shock of yesterday and today. I hope our community can empathize with the pain of many of you."
Ryu said, "I hope we can work together to create a safe environment to prevent secondary damage," and announced that she would propose an amendment to the Criminal Act to strengthen punishment for sexual crimes by adding elements such as authority and power, and the victim's consent to the requirements of the crime of rape.
She said, "I do not intend to pay respects," but added, "However, every death is regrettable and sad. I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved family."
On the same day, Bae Jin-gyo, the Justice Party floor leader, was the first to visit the late Mayor’s funeral hall set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
After paying respects, Bae told reporters, "There is an indescribable grief because we worked together in grassroots civic movements," adding, "I hope the dreams we dreamed with the citizens will continue well in the future."
Regarding the sexual harassment allegations, he said, "Since nothing has been clearly revealed yet, it is difficult to take a position. It is sufficient to handle it after the funeral," and added, "However, I hope that no problems arise from various suspicious parts." On the party-level measures regarding the ongoing Me Too movement, he said, "Since the person has passed away, the party plans to prioritize mourning and paying respects," and added, "We will judge future situations as they arise."
Following this, Leader Shim also visited the funeral hall around 4 p.m. and paid respects for about 30 minutes. When asked by reporters immediately after whether her position differed from that of younger lawmakers like Ryu, she said, "There can be various opinions within the party." Earlier that morning, Shim expressed her condolences on her Facebook, saying, "I am just devastated," and "I pray for the deceased’s peaceful rest and happiness."
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