Jeon Hae-cheol on Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don: "I Think Power Dynamics Were Involved"

"Gyeonggi Province Governor, Many Stories Left... Will Faithfully Fulfill Ministerial Duties"

Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Jeon Hae-cheol is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee plenary session on the 22nd, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 22nd, Jeon Hae-cheol, the nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety, gave an ambiguous answer regarding the sexual harassment allegations against the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, and Oh Keo-don, former Mayor of Busan, stating, "I think there is an element of abuse of power involved."

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee that day, Jeon responded this way to a question from Seo Beom-su, a member of the People Power Party, asking, "Are the cases involving former Mayors Park and Oh examples of power-based sexual harassment?"

When Representative Seo asked again, "So you view it as a power-based sexual crime, right?" Jeon repeated, "Yes, I think there is an element of abuse of power involved."

Regarding the question of whether he intends to run in the 2022 Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election, Jeon refrained from giving a specific answer, stating, "There is still much to discuss. If appointed, I will faithfully carry out the duties of Minister of the Interior and Safety."

When Park Wan-su, a member of the People Power Party, asked if he was willing to give up political neutrality and related party positions during the election, Jeon said, "It is meaningful for a sitting lawmaker to become a cabinet member. I do not currently intend to leave the party."