Jung Sye-kyun: "There Must Be No Secondary Harm to Victims of Mayor Park"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated regarding the secondary damage occurring to the victim of the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual harassment allegations, "Such incidents should not happen through social networking services (SNS) or any other means."

On the 22nd, during a government question session at the National Assembly, in response to a question from Park Sung-joong of the United Future Party, Prime Minister Chung said, "I deeply regret the occurrence of secondary damage to the victim," adding, "The state must protect the victim under the law so that they can return to their daily life as soon as possible, and our society should actively cooperate in this."

Regarding the petition opposing the late Mayor Park's appointment as Seoul Mayor, which surpassed 570,000 signatures, he responded, "Seoul has 10 million citizens, and while some citizens raised concerns, others agreed."

When asked by Park about who decides the Seoul Mayor, he replied, "It was decided by Seoul City," adding, "Since Seoul is a local government, such matters are decided independently."

When Park asked, "Did you have any major meetings near Seoul City Hall on the 9th, the day former Mayor Park went missing, with former Minister Jin Young and others?" he answered, "I did not." Park then claimed, "According to the information I received, there was such a meeting."

Park also raised the issue of 'bias,' noting that while 20,000 people attended the memorial for Mayor Park and 45,000 for the late General Baek Seon-yeop, public broadcasters only reported on Mayor Park's memorial. In response, Prime Minister Chung said, "I don't think the Prime Minister or the party should influence the media. It was the media's own decision, and I have never expressed any interest in it."

Regarding criticism of secondary harm caused by broadcasters such as Park Ji-hee and Lee Dong-hyung, he said, "Most broadcasters and the public do not think that way," adding, "It is inappropriate to express unreasonable remarks through any channel."

On whether to field candidates in the by-elections, he said, "Although I am a party member, it is not appropriate for me to interfere in party affairs," and added, "I will refrain from making political statements."

Meanwhile, Park stated, "There is a saying going around: 'Opportunities like Moon Jae-in, processes like Cho Kuk, results like Yoon Mi-hyang, loans like Lee Sang-jik, orders like Chu Mi-ae, answers like Chu Mi-ae, and shamelessness like Choi Kang-wook.' The public is angry about double standards." This remark led Democratic Party lawmakers to raise their voices in protest.