Agent "Will disclose materials today"
Raises structural issues in sexual assault response
Human Rights Commission focuses on Seoul City's negligence
Investigation targets Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop and others
Likely to recommend measures to prevent recurrence
[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Jeongyun Lee] The former secretary A of the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, plans to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) this week regarding allegations of sexual harassment related to the late mayor. As the investigation into the former mayor is likely to be closed due to 'lack of prosecutorial jurisdiction,' attention is focused on the scope and subject of the NHRCK complaint as a practical alternative to uncover the truth of the matter.
Kim Jae-ryeon, legal representative for A, told reporters on the morning of the 27th in front of the law firm On·Sesang in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the subject of the NHRCK complaint, "Since there are various problematic points in the (late Mayor Park Won-soon sexual harassment allegations) case, we plan to specifically point out the overall issues in the complaint," adding, "We will disclose the NHRCK complaint materials within today." They intend to raise structural issues in the response to sexual violence, including allegations of concealment of sexual harassment by the Seoul Metropolitan Government under the late mayor.
The NHRCK investigation is also expected to focus on the structural problems of the Seoul Metropolitan Government that condoned sexual violence. The NHRCK issues a decision statement containing its judgment on the matter based on the complaint submitted by the complainant, face-to-face and attendance investigations of victims and respondents, and witness investigations. Considering the issues raised by the victims and the complaint plans so far, it is highly likely that the NHRCK will recommend the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to establish measures to prevent the recurrence of sexual violence by power within public institutions, and issue a decision pointing out the structural problems of sexual harassment facts and tacit approval or condonation. Lee Mi-kyung, director of the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center representing the victims, also stated at the second press conference on the 22nd, "The scope of the NHRCK investigation will include the circumstances in which the damage occurred, the work environment, the process of raising and ignoring the issue, and any work-related disadvantages."
Accordingly, the NHRCK investigation is expected to include current Acting Mayor of Seoul Seo Jeong-hyeop, who was the Administrative Deputy Mayor during the late Mayor Park’s tenure, as well as current and former Seoul Metropolitan Government officials. However, it is uncertain whether the complaint will include the issue of whether the 'power sexual harassment' by the late mayor actually occurred, and even if included, whether the NHRCK can uncover such matters. The NHRCK has stated its policy to "begin an investigation once the victim's complaint is received."
Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed the 'Park Won-soon Case Task Force (TF)' to demonstrate its intention to investigate the allegations against the former mayor, but additional search warrants for the late mayor’s mobile phone and search warrants for the Seoul City Hall secretariat were repeatedly rejected by the court, making it difficult to find a breakthrough.
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