Funeral Procedures for Late Former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Conclude on 13th
560,000 Petition Against Seoul Metropolitan City Funeral...Political Circles Face Controversy Over Secondary Victimization
Ahn Cheol-soo, Ryu Ho-jeong, Jang Hye-young "Will Not Pay Condolences"
Women's Groups "Condemn Political Circles' Low Gender Sensitivity"
On the 12th, a memorial banner for the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, under the name of the Democratic Party of Korea, was hung in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the funeral procedures for the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, who was honored with a Seoul Metropolitan City funeral, conclude today (13th), conflicts surrounding the refusal to pay respects to Mayor Park continue.
There is a sharp divide between opinions that it is acceptable to refuse to pay respects or criticize Mayor Park due to a female victim who reported sexual violence to the police, and claims that he should not be criticized because of his achievements. A petition opposing the five-day funeral for the Seoul Mayor has garnered 560,000 signatures as of the afternoon of the 13th.
Civilians have pointed out that the longer Mayor Park’s funeral continues, the more severe the secondary harm to the accuser becomes. Criticism has also been raised that public condolences and memorials by ruling party figures have fueled secondary harm to the victim.
After completing the departure ceremony this morning, Mayor Park’s hearse left the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital around 7:20 a.m. and headed to Seoul City Hall, where the memorial service was held. The memorial service took place from 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose hall of City Hall. About 100 people, including family members, provincial governors, Democratic Party leadership, Seoul city officials, and representatives of civil society, attended the event, which was broadcast live on Seoul City and tbs YouTube channels.
According to reports, Mayor Park was accused of sexual harassment by his former secretary A on the day before his disappearance, the 8th. A, who worked in Mayor Park’s office, reportedly appeared at the police station that day to file a complaint and underwent an investigation as the accuser, claiming past sexual harassment by Mayor Park.
Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering reporters' questions after paying his respects at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon, was laid to rest on the morning of the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News
As a result, citizens have expressed concerns that the official political actions such as condolences and condolences might send a message that "protecting the suspect takes precedence over protecting the victim." There has also been criticism that the environment makes it difficult for supporters to be aware of the issue of secondary harm, thereby encouraging it.
In particular, when it became known that Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan scolded a reporter asking about the party’s response to the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park by saying "It’s impolite," citizens erupted in anger, asking, "Where is the respect for the victim?"
Not only Lee but also political circles and civic groups expressed regret over Mayor Park’s death, considering his achievements. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye described him as "a truly pure person," fellow party member Yoon Ho-jung said, "We will remember his legacy forever," and Seoul Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon commented, "Sometimes life is about living steadfastly even if a bit shabby."
Amid the conflict over paying respects to Mayor Park, a petition opposing the Seoul Metropolitan City funeral for him was also posted.
The petitioner condemned, "The sexual harassment allegations were closed without investigation, but can we be sure it was a dignified death?" and questioned, "Should the public watch the extravagant five-day funeral of a prominent politician who committed suicide due to sexual harassment allegations through the media?" The petition had received over 560,000 signatures as of the 13th.
Ruling party figures had previously faced similar criticism on the 6th when they officially paid respects at the funeral hall of the late mother of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung. At that time, it was criticized as inappropriate and interpreted as secondary harm to the victim to officially send condolences such as wreaths to a perpetrator who was sentenced to prison for sexual violence using workplace authority.
On the afternoon of the 12th, Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the United Future Party, and others held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, urging the cessation of secondary harm such as doxxing against the accuser in the sexual harassment allegations against the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. Photo by Yonhap News.
The conflict over refusing to pay respects to Mayor Park continues not only in civil society but also in political circles. On the 10th, Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong announced on her Facebook that she would not pay respects at Mayor Park’s funeral and offered comfort to the victim, saying, "I hope you are not lonely."
On the same day, fellow party member Jang Hye-young wrote on Facebook, "I cannot mourn as if nothing happened. No matter how great and meaningful the legacy the deceased left to our society, there are still things we need to know," and urged, "What must be unprecedentedly done is not the Seoul Metropolitan City funeral but a thorough investigation and prevention measures against sexual violence by high-ranking officials through abuse of power."
On the 11th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, also stated, "I have decided not to pay separate respects," and criticized, "A deep reflection and introspection on the awareness and conduct of high-ranking officials is more necessary than ever. I cannot agree to holding a five-day Seoul Metropolitan City funeral when it is not a death in the line of duty."
Women’s groups condemned the low gender sensitivity in politics and called for measures to prevent and address workplace sexual harassment.
On the 10th, the Women’s Party issued a statement titled "When Mourning Becomes Violence: Opposing the Politics of Mourning Surrounding the Death of Former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon," urging, "The 21st National Assembly must amend related laws to ensure criminal punishment for workplace sexual harassment."
Additionally, women’s civic organizations such as the Korean Women’s Associations United (KWAU), Korean Sexual Violence Counseling Center (Counseling Center), Korean Women’s Movement United (Minwoo Center), and Korea Women’s Hotline issued solidarity statements supporting the victim one after another.
KWAU stated in their statement, "We support the courage of the victim who revealed her experience and will stand with her on this path."
Minwoo Center urged, "Seoul City must uncover the truth to prevent further harm and stand with the victim." The Women’s Hotline expressed anger at "our society siding with the perpetrator again rather than the victim after the sexual harassment accusation against Mayor Park."
Meanwhile, the accuser’s side plans to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on the 13th. Attorney Kim Jae-ryeon, representing A, announced that a press conference will be held at the Korea Women’s Hotline office in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, to call for truth clarification.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
