Progressive Camp's Counterattack... Lawyer Kim Jaeryeon Faces Lawsuit Warning

Anti-Corruption People's Participation Solidarity Accuses of False Charges and Negligence of Duty

Attorney Kim Jae-ryeon, the representative of the sexual harassment victim against the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, is holding a request letter urging an ex officio investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Mayor Park in front of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 28th of last month.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The Progressive Organization Anti-Corruption National Participation Solidarity plans to file a criminal complaint against the legal representative of the victim who accused the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, of sexual harassment.

According to a summary of Asia Economy's coverage on the 3rd, Shin Seung-mok, head of the Anti-Corruption National Participation Solidarity, plans to file a complaint with the National Police Agency as early as today against lawyer Kim Jae-ryun on charges of false accusation and instigation of false accusation. Shin said, "Park's sexual harassment does not meet the elements of a crime, and even if the accusation proceeds, it is highly likely to be dismissed. Lawyer Kim planned and proceeded with this case," adding, "We also plan to file charges against Kim for dereliction of duty and abuse of authority."

It is alleged that while Kim served as Director of the Rights Promotion Bureau at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family from June 2013 to July 2015, she failed to properly handle complaints filed by the bereaved family of a female employee of Korea Pipeline Corporation who was murdered, and instead used abusive language and exercised power arbitrarily. In 2005, Lee, a married man and personnel manager at Korea Pipeline Corporation, murdered his junior colleague Hwang and disposed of the body, for which he was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the court.

The bereaved family filed complaints demanding punishment for Lee on charges including sexual assault, but Shin claims that lawyer Kim ignored these complaints. Furthermore, Shin plans to request disciplinary action against lawyer Kim from the Korean Bar Association.

Earlier, on the 14th of last month, Shin filed a police complaint against lawyer Kang Yong-seok, a member of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon), and former reporters Kim Yong-ho and Kim Se-ui for defamation of the deceased. On the 10th of last month, Gaseyeon broadcasted a program titled "On-site Dispatch, Scene of Park Won-soon's Death" around Waryong Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late mayor had visited before his tragic death. At that time, Gaseyeon caused controversy by making remarks that appeared to insult the deceased.

Within progressive communities, posts have appeared calling for the collection of cases of online defamation against the late mayor Park. One netizen announced a request for related content to be submitted via email as archive links or PDF files.

However, it is uncertain whether defamation of the deceased will actually lead to punishment. Defamation of the deceased is a complaint-based offense, and even with Shin's complaint, investigation can only proceed with the consent of the late mayor's bereaved family.

As of this day, the bereaved family has not expressed any intention to the police. Even if the family files a complaint, punishment such as imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 5 million won can only be imposed if false facts are stated that damage the deceased's honor. Punishment is possible only if it is proven that the sexual harassment allegations against the late mayor are false.