[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Jeon Jinyoung] The Democratic Party of Korea is voicing condolences for the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, but it has yet to take a clear stance on the sexual harassment allegations presumed to be related to Mayor Park's cause of death.
A Democratic Party official stated on the 10th regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park, "There may be various voices of rage within the party. However, there is truly no information to determine which side is correct."
He added, "There is no information to judge whether this should be handled in connection with other incidents or not," and said, "There has been no discussion at the party level."
The official continued, "It is not about avoidance or postponement," and said, "We lack the information to respond based on accurate details. There was a death, but the reality of the death has not yet been identified."
However, he said, "At this morning's (Supreme Council) meeting, the party decided to take a stance that, as Mayor Park had thought, the Seoul city administration should be actively managed without any gaps."
The official also said, "At today's closed Supreme Council meeting, the atmosphere was such that even considering a discussion was impossible. It was not an environment where members could report or consult with each other at all," and added, "The meeting proceeded gloomily with only the chairperson making a formal written report."
He added, "Some have suggested that the party requested a gag order regarding the sexual harassment issue, but no one has made such a request."
Regarding concerns that the sexual harassment victim could be turned into the perpetrator in the suicide case, the official said, "If the police have the family's consent, the investigation will naturally proceed," and added, "If additional facts are confirmed through that process, the party will of course establish a position and provide an explanation."
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