"Ryu Ho-jeong Stands Firm: 'I Will Not Attend Park Won-soon's Funeral'... Ruling Party Supporters Express Outrage"

Ryu Ho-jeong Sends Condolence Message to Employee Who Accused Mayor Park of Sexual Harassment
Some Ruling Party Supporters Say "It's Disrespectful to the Deceased... Insulting"

Ryu Ho-jeong, the number one proportional representation candidate of the Justice Party and Chair of the IT Industry Labor Special Committee, is holding a press conference on a morning in March at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, denouncing the labor conditions at the game company Pearl Abyss and urging protective measures for the labor rights of young IT workers. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] On the 10th, Ryu Hojung, a Justice Party lawmaker, stated that she "does not intend to pay condolences" regarding the news of the late Park Won-soon, the Mayor of Seoul, sparking criticism among ruling party supporters. Some have expressed harsh criticism, saying, "It is disrespectful to the deceased," "An inappropriate attitude," and "An insult to the deceased."

On the same day, Ryu posted on her Facebook, "I read the condolence messages from those praying for the deceased's repose," and added, "I once again confirm how wonderfully the deceased lived."

However, Ryu expressed support for the victim who filed a police complaint against Mayor Park on charges of sexual harassment, saying, "But I hope 'you' are not lonely."

She continued, "You, who could not resist the hierarchy of a respected person and had to be the target of harassment; you, who could only decide to file a complaint after receiving psychiatric counseling necessary for treatment and recovery; you, who must press your chest tightly to barely breathe amid the already beginning 'secondary harm' and 'personal information digging'?I want you to know that you are not alone."

She also referenced a line from the movie Good Will Hunting, "It's not your fault." Ryu said, "I convey this phrase, which resurfaced with Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun's sexual harassment revelation, to you in a space where it may or may not reach, to you who may or may not see it," and explained, "I hope our community can empathize with your many sufferings."

Ryu emphasized that she would not attend Mayor Park's funeral. She said, "I do not intend to pay condolences," but added, "However, every death is regrettable and sad. I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved family."

In response to these remarks, some Democratic Party supporters have poured criticism on Ryu. One supporter said, "I do not want to know your conviction. If you are not going to attend the condolence, just stay quiet. Have you ever thought about how much your words would hurt the bereaved family?" and pointed out, "It is true that the victim was hurt, but condolences are a place to comfort the bereaved family."

They further emphasized, "No matter how despicable a person may be, there is no reason for the bereaved family to suffer harm even at a place where they are comforted for losing a family member."

On the 10th, the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was prepared as the mourning place for the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul. / Provided by Seoul City

Another supporter criticized, "It feels very inappropriate for a National Assembly member's statement, and it makes me uncomfortable."

Moreover, criticism continued with comments such as, "I don't care whether you pay condolences or not. But you should have temporarily set aside your party's stance or your thoughts instead of writing about condolences for the deceased," "Are you a sociopath? Why did you write such a post?" "It's too much when nothing has been clearly concluded yet," and "This shows the level of the Justice Party."

On the other hand, some welcomed Ryu's remarks. One netizen said, "I fully agree with the lawmaker's statement and support her conviction. If you think that the perpetrator cannot be labeled as a sex offender because the truth has not been clarified, then conversely, mourning and condolence (which clearly lean toward the perpetrator's side and are very intentional acts) should be avoided."

The Justice Party issued a statement on the day, saying, "The late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was found dead near Bukhansan. It is truly a shocking and distressing event," and added, "Reflecting on the deceased's life as a democratization activist, civic activist, and administrator, we are filled with sorrow. We respectfully pray for the deceased's repose and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family."

Meanwhile, Mayor Park was found dead around midnight on the 10th, seven hours after being reported missing. It is known that Mayor Park was recently sued by a former secretary on charges of sexual harassment.