No Suspects Yet in the Investigation of Late Park Won-soon's Alleged Sexual Harassment Cover-up and Negligence... "Investigation Ongoing"

Second press conference on the sexual violence case involving the Seoul Mayor held in a location in Seoul this July. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] It has been 100 days since the death of the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, and police investigations related to allegations of sexual harassment and concealment/abetment are ongoing. So far, no one has been formally charged.

A National Police Agency official stated on the 19th regarding the suspicion of concealment and abetment of sexual harassment by those close to former Mayor Park, "About 20 people have been investigated, but no one has been charged yet." However, in relation to the leak of the complaint and malicious comments against the victim, 5 and 17 people have been charged respectively.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, explained at a press briefing that "In the case of (former Mayor Park's) death, digital forensics on the mobile phone has currently been halted, so it is no longer progressing," and added, "Regarding the sexual crime itself, it is the same due to the death of the individual."

He continued, "The most actively progressing investigation now is into the concealment or abetment of sexual violence by those around him," and said, "We are thoroughly investigating, including witnesses, those necessary such as secretariat officials."

Regarding the timing of the case closure, Commissioner Kim added, "The decision will be made comprehensively considering the closure timing of the main death case, the concealment and abetment case, and the secondary damage issues."