Park Yong-jin "Must Listen to Victims' Voices... Need Measures for a Gender-Equal Party"

On the 29th of last month, Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a greeting at the ceremony for the joint use of facilities for industry-academia cooperation held at Seoul City Hall. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] On the 13th, a woman who accused the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment expressed her position through her lawyer. In response, Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Now is the time to listen to the voices of the victims who have suffered."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 14th, Rep. Park said, "Although the funeral procedures have ended, this matter is not over as long as the victim's pain and appeals continue. It is time to resolve the issue and find answers related to this matter."

He added, "Regarding the appeals made by the victim's side yesterday, I think it is natural for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to verify what happened and make efforts to prevent recurrence," and said, "Although painful, it is right for our society, the party, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to do what must be done."

Regarding the ongoing sexual harassment issues within the party, he said, "Following the cases of Ahn Hee-jung and Oh Keo-don, there is considerable public disappointment related to this incident. Has the party lacked gender sensitivity all this time?" He emphasized, "We need to review whether gender equality education for elected officials has been merely formal and prepare measures to become a gender-equal party."

Rep. Park stated, "We need to view and resolve the controversies that arose during Mayor Park's funeral period publicly," and said, "It is necessary to cherish the kindness Mayor Park personally showed, his interest in our region, and his exceptional attitude toward the people and citizens of Seoul."

However, he added, "The agreements on gender equality and gender sensitivity that were being painstakingly established must not be shaken, and regarding that, we should view it publicly and make efforts for our society to become more mature."

When asked about the Democratic Party's rule that prohibits running candidates in by-elections next year, he said, "The interpretation of that part will be made by the party leadership or through appropriate procedures," and added, "Since politicians are diverse, I cannot say now whether not fielding a candidate is taking greater responsibility or whether fielding a candidate entails greater responsibility."

Previously, the Democratic Party stipulated in Article 96, Paragraph 2 of the party constitution, revised in 2015, that "If an elected official belonging to the party loses their position due to serious misconduct such as corruption, and a by-election is held, the party will not recommend a candidate in that electoral district."

So far, among metropolitan governments, by-elections have been confirmed in two places: Seoul, following the death of former Mayor Park, and Busan, following the resignation of former Mayor Oh Keo-don.