[Summary] "Park Won-soon, Physical Contact in Bedroom" vs "Too Excessive" Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Loudly at National Audit Session

Kim Jeong-jae "Physical Contact by Former Mayor Park Must Also Be Investigated"
"It's Not Basic", "Discuss After the Case Ends" Ruling Party Protests
Chairman Choi "Case Under Investigation... Expected to Conclude by Late November"

Choi Young-ae, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, is responding at the Steering Committee's audit of state affairs held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] During the National Assembly's audit, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties clashed over descriptions related to the sexual harassment allegations against the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul. When an opposition lawmaker detailed the circumstances of the incident related to Park's allegations, dissatisfaction arose among ruling party lawmakers, expressing that such descriptions were "not appropriate."

On the 30th, Kim Jeong-jae, a member of the People Power Party, attended the National Human Rights Commission audit held at the National Assembly. During the session, Kim demanded Chairperson Choi Young-ae to investigate, stating, "There was physical close contact in former Mayor Park's office," and added, "We need to investigate the fact that lips were pressed on the knee and physical contact occurred in the bedroom."

In response, lawmakers from the Democratic Party immediately protested. Among Democratic Party members, loud voices such as "We should talk after the case is properly closed," and "Isn't this inappropriate?" erupted. Amid this, Kim Tae-nyeon, the chairman of the steering committee, asked fellow party member Moon Jeong-bok and others to "calm down," but the commotion continued.

Kim requested to pause the questioning time and to be granted the opportunity for a procedural speech, but when this was denied, he confronted Chairperson Choi, asking, "Why are you obstructing the procedural speech?" Chairperson Choi retorted, "Proceed with your questioning, or are you not going to?"

Choi Young-ae, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (center, back view), is responding at the Steering Committee's National Assembly audit held on the 30th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul / Photo by Yonhap News

Kim stated, "I will take responsibility for what I said," and the audit questioning resumed afterward.

However, when Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Won-i countered, saying, "The opposition is pressuring the Human Rights Commission with overly definitive expressions about an ongoing investigation," and added, "This is excessive," People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seong-won responded, "Whether the audited institution felt pressured is for the public to judge," reigniting the heated debate between the ruling and opposition parties.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Choi said regarding the allegations against former Mayor Park, "This case is under investigation, so I cannot provide an answer," but added, "I believe this will be an opportunity for our Korean society to move forward."

She also stated, "I understand that all messages claimed by the victim's side, including secret Telegram chat requests, obscene messages, and personal contact after department transfers, have been submitted."

Chairperson Choi predicted that the ex officio investigation into Park's sexual harassment allegations would "be completed around the end of November," but added, "It could take longer."