[Comprehensive] 'Refusal to Pay Condolences' Jang Hye-young "Honestly, Shim Sang-jung's Apology Was Surprising"

"Confirmed that CEO Shim Still Respects My Perspective and Actions"

Justice Party leader Sim Sang-jung and lawmaker Jang Hye-young are talking before the party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 14th. 2020.7.14 Photo by mon@yna.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 14th, Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker, expressed that she was "honestly taken aback" by the apology from Representative Sim Sang-jung regarding the controversy over the refusal to pay respects to the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

In a post on her Facebook that day, Jang said, "Basically, I respected the message and actions I chose in this matter, which was the perspective of the representative I knew," explaining her feelings.

She added, "To understand the exact intention behind the (apology for the refusal to pay respects) controversy, I spoke with Representative Sim after the party meeting," and confirmed, "I confirmed that Representative Sim still respects my perspective and actions regarding this matter."

She also stated, "I am aware that there are significant disagreements within the party surrounding this issue," and added, "Now is the time to narrow those differences and unite our strength."

Photo by Jang Hye-young, Member of the Justice Party, Facebook capture

Earlier, during the morning party meeting, Representative Sim apologized, saying, "If the messages from lawmakers Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young, who expressed their intention not to pay respects at Mayor Park's funeral, hurt the bereaved family and citizens' mourning feelings, I sincerely apologize as the party leader."

She also explained, "Lawmakers Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young focused on expressing firm solidarity with the victim amid growing secondary harm toward the victim related to the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park," and added, "During the mourning period, the Justice Party reflected on the deceased's public contributions, and current and former lawmakers, including myself, paid respects and prayed for his repose."

She emphasized, "Our position, including mine and the Justice Party's, is that expressing condolences during the funeral period and showing solidarity with the victim are not mutually exclusive."

The portrait of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, is arriving at Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 13th, where the funeral ceremony is being held. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Lawmaker Ryu posted on her Facebook, "I do not intend to pay respects (to Mayor Park)," showing support for the victim.

On the same day, Lawmaker Jang also emphasized on her Facebook, "I cannot mourn as if nothing happened. What must be done unprecedentedly is a thorough investigation into sexual violence by high-ranking officials, not the Seoul Mayor."

On the 14th, Jang criticized the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors for dismissing the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park as a "private matter," saying, "How can sexual harassment by the power of the Seoul Mayor be a private matter?" and expressed "disappointment and regret at such complacent awareness."

She continued, "Following former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung and former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, this is already the third (sexual scandal)," urging the Democratic Party to establish reflection and preventive measures at the party level, not just at the individual or female lawmaker level, and called for a thorough investigation and countermeasures regarding this incident.

Previously, Justice Party members protested and resigned from the party over the two lawmakers' refusal to pay respects to Mayor Park. Regarding this, former Dongyang University professor and former Justice Party member Jin Joong-kwon wrote on his Facebook, "No need to stop the resignations. Those who were originally going to join the Democratic Party just happened to be in the Justice Party unintentionally," and urged, "This is an opportunity to clearly define our identity as a progressive party and accept new progressive members."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.