"No Reports of Damage?" ... Seoul City Considering Independent Investigation

Victim Press Conference on the 13th, Indirect Reports Considered, Truth Investigation Committee Formation Under Discussion

On the 13th, a press conference titled "Power Sexual Harassment Case by the Mayor of Seoul" is being held at the Korea Women's Hotline in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the victim who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment has demanded a city-level truth investigation through a press conference, attention is focusing on whether the Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct its own investigation or audit. Initially, Seoul City, which expressed reluctance to investigate by stating that "no official report of the victim's facts has been received," is expected to announce its position on this matter as early as the 14th.

A Seoul city official stated on the day, "We have confirmed that no victim reports related to Mayor Park have been received through official channels such as the Human Rights Officer or the Women and Family Policy Division, both in the past and recently," adding, "The city is only aware of the issue through media reports."

Since neither the victim nor those around her directly reported the incident, and the city does not even know who the employee involved is, it was difficult to respond prematurely by verifying the facts. Moreover, since the case was closed as 'no prosecution' following the death of the late former Mayor Park, the city's previous stance was that a separate investigation would be difficult to carry out.

However, since the victim's side, together with the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center and Korea Women's Hotline, publicly revealed the victimization and requested a city-level truth investigation the day before, the city is considering whether to accept this as an indirect report and request for help and respond accordingly. It has been reported that Seo Jeong-hyeop, acting mayor and first deputy mayor of administration, along with the director of the Planning and Coordination Office and the director of the Women and Family Policy Office, held a meeting late into the night on the 13th to discuss the formation of a truth investigation committee and procedures for fact-finding.

A city official said, "According to the existing manual, the city responds when the victim or a third party directly reports or requests help, but in the current situation, we are consulting various experts on what procedures the city can follow to conduct an investigation," adding, "We plan to announce our position as soon as it is finalized."

Within the city, voices are growing that if the claim that the victim's requests for help to those around her were ignored is true, Seoul City will not be able to avoid criticism this time either. If it is confirmed that Seoul City, which had been proactive in policies on sexual violence prevention, women's rights protection, and gender issues, was actually insensitive to or concealed sexual misconduct within the organization, even the sexual harassment and sexual violence recurrence prevention measures announced last May will have to be completely revised.

Some point out that even if the city begins its own truth investigation, it will be difficult to clearly identify responsibility since all special positions such as special advisors and gender special advisors who closely assisted the late former Mayor Park have naturally retired.