People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy "Seoul City Must Conduct Thorough Investigation Focusing on Victims' Rights Restoration"

Hwang In-sik, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is greeting before reading the Seoul Metropolitan Government's official statement on the investigation into employee human rights violations at the city hall press room on the 15th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) has expressed the position that a fair and objective investigation must be conducted regarding the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, who was accused of sexual harassment.

On the 15th, PSPD issued a statement saying, "We empathize with the pain the victim must be experiencing and extend our condolences. In this series of incidents, it is a priority to listen to and empathize with the suffering of those who claim to be victims," adding, "There must be no secondary harm such as digging into the personal information of those who claim rights violations through abuse of power or defaming the deceased by linking his choices to the victim."

PSPD stated, "This case should be approached focusing on the restoration of the victim's rights, and an objective and thorough investigation demanded by the victim must be carried out," and added, "As announced today, the Seoul Metropolitan Government must conduct a fair and objective investigation into whether the system and procedures functioned properly and whether there was any tacit approval or protection that allowed the victim's suffering to continue for four years."

They continued, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government should first withhold acceptance of resignation from employees who require investigation and take sufficient measures based on the investigation results," adding, "This process should serve as an opportunity to put an end to the recurring sexual harassment cases by public officials in our society."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced at a briefing room in Seoul City Hall that it would form a joint public-private investigation team to clarify the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park. The city emphasized that it would focus on preventing secondary harm to employees who claim to be victims.