Park Yong-jin: "Mayor Park Must Listen to Victims' Voices" Party-Level Demand for Truth Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 14th, Park Yongjin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, insisted that the party needs to investigate the facts and prepare countermeasures regarding the late Mayor Park Wonsoon's sexual harassment allegations. Park is the first within the party to directly mention the necessity of fact-finding.

In an interview with KBS's "Kim Kyungrae's Focus" on the morning of the same day, Park said, "I think now is the time to listen to the voices of the victims who have suffered."

He added, "Although the funeral procedures have ended, this matter is not over as long as the victims' pain and appeals continue," and said, "Now is the time for our society to resolve each issue and find answers based on collective consensus regarding this problem."

He also argued the need for fact-finding, saying, "I believe that fact-finding and preparing countermeasures at the party level are necessary to restore the public's trust."

Park said, "Especially following the Ahn Hee-jung and Oh Keo-don incidents, the public's disappointment is considerable. The party must examine whether it has lacked gender sensitivity and whether gender equality education for elected officials has been merely formal."

He continued, "I think measures must be prepared to become a more women-friendly and gender-equal party," and emphasized, "Seoul City should also verify what happened concerning the victims' appeals and strive to prevent recurrence."

Regarding the controversy over condolences during Mayor Park's funeral period, he said, "The controversies and social conflicts during the funeral period should be seen as painful times to build further social consensus," adding, "Simply burying these issues does not end everything. From now on, we must work on public discourse and efforts for our society to become more mature."

He added, "In a broader sense, that is also a way to properly honor the deceased."

Park's candid remarks on this day are the second after Democratic Party member Kim Hae-young. On the 13th, Kim said at the Supreme Council meeting, "The party needs reflection and countermeasures to prevent unfortunate incidents involving high-ranking officials in the future."