[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea by pointing out sexual misconduct allegations against Assemblyman A of the Seoul Gangdong-gu Council, saying, "The Democratic Party should reflect on whether it is qualified to field candidates in the by-elections."
Hwang Gyu-hwan, the standing deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the 4th, "Despite the fact that by-elections, which require a huge amount of taxpayers' money due to sexual misconduct allegations against Democratic Party-affiliated local leaders, are being held, sexual misconduct issues involving party members have not ceased," and made this criticism.
According to Deputy Spokesperson Hwang, on the 1st, a post was uploaded on the Gangdong-gu Council website bulletin board claiming that a person presumed to be Assemblyman A had engaged in one-time meetings under conditions involving money and other factors with the post author, and that body videos were exchanged through social network services (SNS).
Deputy Spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "Assemblyman A denies the allegations, claiming that both the SNS and videos were stolen, but the reactions from acquaintances and the public remain cold."
He added, "Sexual harassment allegations and issues involving Democratic Party-affiliated local councilors are not recent occurrences," and "In August, a Democratic Party-affiliated Busan city councilor was caught on CCTV sexually harassing a restaurant employee."
Deputy Spokesperson Hwang said, "No matter how many times apologies are made and promises to prevent recurrence are given, sexual scandals involving local councilors within the party do not stop, so at this point, it is not an 'individual problem' but a 'party problem,'" and "If the Democratic Party truly wishes to apologize to the public, it should seriously reflect on whether it is qualified to field candidates in the by-elections."
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