'#SolidarityWithVictims, #OpposeMayorPark’sSeoul5DayMarket
Photos of Democratic Party Resignations on SNS
Experts Say "Voices in Solidarity with Victims Are Needed"'
Kim Jaeryeon, lead attorney of Law Firm On·Sesang (second from right), is reporting on the progress at a press conference regarding the sexual harassment case by the Seoul mayor, held on the afternoon of the 13th at the Korean Women's Hotline in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the late Mayor Park Won-soon was accused of sexual harassment before his death, a movement to stand in solidarity with the victim is spreading, especially among women's groups.
In particular, on social networking services (SNS), a hashtag campaign titled '#StandingWithTheVictimWhoAccusedMayorParkWonSoon' is spreading, and many women's civic organizations have issued solidarity statements supporting the victim. They pointed out the actions of some netizens who are trying to identify the accuser through 'doxxing' and emphasized the importance of 'protecting the victim.' Experts stressed the need for voices of solidarity with the victim.
On the afternoon of the 13th, lawyer Kim Jaeryeon, legal representative of former secretary A, gave a detailed explanation of A's victimization at a press conference held at the Korea Women's Hotline office in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul.
Lawyer Kim said, "The crimes continued during the four years the victim served as a secretary and even after being transferred to another department," adding, "The locations of the crimes included the mayor's office and the bedroom within the office."
He continued, "Although it is difficult to describe the details, (Mayor Park) would say to the victim, 'Let's take a selfie together,' then press his body against the victim or, upon seeing bruises on her knees, say 'I'll kiss them better' and pressed his lips to her knees. He called the victim into the inner office or bedroom, physically touched her saying 'hold me,' and invited her to a secret Telegram chat room where he continuously sent obscene messages and photos of himself wearing only underwear, sexually harassing the victim," he claimed.
He also expressed concern about secondary victimization of A. Lawyer Kim added, "This morning, we submitted an additional complaint to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency regarding the secondary victimization occurring online and offline against the victim."
Citizens supporting the victim who accused the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon posted verification photos on SNS. Photo by Twitter capture
After the press conference, posts with hashtags such as '#StandingWithTheVictimWhoAccusedMayorParkWonSoon' and '#OpposeMayorParkWonSoonSeoulCityFiveDayFuneral' continued to appear online. The hashtag relay began on the day of Mayor Park's death, the 10th, and is still ongoing four days later.
In particular, along with the hashtags, they posted messages saying, "We send active support and encouragement to those who courageously report their victimization. No one can blame the victims. We demand strict punishment for sexual offenders."
Earlier, many women's civic organizations such as the Korean Women's Associations United, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korean Women's Movement United, and Korea Women's Hotline also issued solidarity statements supporting the victim.
On the 10th, the Korean Women's Movement United stated, "We are outraged at the political circles, media, Seoul city, and civil society that inflict secondary harm on the victim who sought to reveal the truth," and added, "Seoul city must uncover the truth to prevent further harm and stand with the victim."
On the same day, the Korean Women's Associations United emphasized, "Progress is impossible in a society that silences victims," and urged, "We must stop the criticism, distortion, and secondary victimization directed at the victim."
Citizens supporting the victim who accused the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon posted verification photos on SNS. Photo by Twitter capture
Meanwhile, some members of the Democratic Party declared their withdrawal and posted 'withdrawal certification photos' on SNS. They opposed the Democratic Party leadership's stance of 'mourning first' and criticized their gender awareness.
One netizen posted on their Twitter, "I no longer want to support a party that does not see women as equal citizens, such as in the Mayor Park Won-soon case," along with a photo certifying their withdrawal. Another netizen wrote, "The Democratic Party does not deserve female members and supporters," and added, "Goodbye, Democratic Party."
Earlier, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan expressed the stance of 'mourning first' regarding controversies surrounding Mayor Park and the late General Baek Seon-yeop's funerals. At the Supreme Council meeting held on the 13th, he said, "Once again, I pray for the deceased's happiness. At least during the funeral period, it would be good to approach it with a mindset of mutual mourning and nurturing the community together."
Experts emphasized the need for voices of solidarity with the victim. Seo Seung-hee, head of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, pointed out, "The fact that former Mayor Park's funeral is held as a Seoul Metropolitan City funeral and that an online memorial space is created for him indicates that the power he held continues to be politically exercised even after his death. Such acts can pressure the victim."
She added, "Beyond pressuring the victim, direct secondary victimization is a significant social problem," and emphasized, "This can be described as 'cyberbullying' occurring in cyberspace beyond 'secondary victimization.' To resolve this, voices criticizing secondary victimization are necessary."
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