[Comprehensive] "Strict Punishment Needed" Women's Groups Demand Severe Punishment for Perpetrator in Shin Ji-ye Sexual Assault Case

First Trial Verdict Scheduled at Busan District Court on the 22nd

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Women's organizations have issued a statement urging the court to impose a severe punishment on the man accused of sexually assaulting Shin Ji-ye, the representative of the Korean Women’s Political Network (former co-chairperson of the Green Party).

Earlier, Representative Shin publicly revealed during last year's general election that she had been sexually assaulted by A, a Green Party official.

On the 19th, women's organizations including the Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center and the Busan Women's Association Federation released a statement demanding appropriate severe punishment for the perpetrator’s crime in the upcoming first trial.

In the statement, the organizations said, "Severe punishment for sexual violence is the beginning of the victim's recovery and the realization of social justice," adding, "Now it is time for the court to respond to society by recognizing quasi-rape injury and imposing a severe punishment on the perpetrator."

They continued, "Many victims still cannot speak out about their experiences or take legal action, which can also be seen in the perpetrator’s claims," explaining, "Because of a social culture that demands victim-like behavior and the mental anguish caused by courtroom battles, it is not easy for an individual to endure."

They reiterated, "Severe punishment for sexual violence is the beginning of the victim's recovery and the realization of social justice," urging the court to recognize quasi-rape injury and severely punish the perpetrator.

Previously, Representative Shin claimed that A lured her to Busan in February last year under the pretense of helping to dispel false rumors about her and then sexually assaulted her.

The prosecution indicted A on charges of quasi-rape injury and requested a seven-year prison sentence at the sentencing hearing. During three hearings held at the Busan District Court, A reportedly stated, "I was not in a position to lure the victim, and it was accidental. I committed sexual violence but did not cause injury."

At the sentencing hearing held in Busan that day, Representative Shin, who attended as a witness and testified about the victimization, appealed to the court, saying, "A seven-year prison sentence has been requested for the perpetrator," and urged, "Please impose a severe punishment on the perpetrator."

Former Green Party Co-Chair Shin Ji-ye's Public Petition Demanding Severe Punishment for Sexual Assault Perpetrator

This is not the first time that civic groups have appealed for a severe punishment for the perpetrator in this case. In November last year, women's groups and others expressed outrage through a public petition, stating, "When Shin Ji-ye was driven into a situation where it was difficult to perform her political role as chairperson due to the male co-chairperson, the perpetrator coaxed her by saying he would help solve the problem and then sexually assaulted her."

In the petition, they pointed out, "The perpetrator on trial admits to the sexual assault to reduce his sentence but refuses to acknowledge causing injury during the assault," adding, "We cannot help but be outraged by his attitude of minimizing the crime rather than showing remorse and reflection."

They also emphasized, "Imposing a severe punishment on the perpetrator is a step toward breaking the deeply rooted culture of sexual violence based on hierarchy within the political sphere and will be the first step in creating an environment where young women can safely engage in politics in Korean party politics."

Meanwhile, the first trial sentencing hearing for A is scheduled to be held on the 22nd at the Busan District Court.

On the same day, following the court’s verdict on the case, a press conference jointly hosted by the Korean Women’s Political Network, Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center, Busan Women’s Association Federation, Busan Women’s Counseling Center and Victim Protection Facility Council, and Anti-Discrimination Feminist Solidarity is planned.

Representative Shin joined the Green Party in 2012 and ran for Seoul mayor in the June 2018 local elections under the slogan of a feminist Seoul mayor.

Additionally, in last year’s general election, after leaving the Green Party, she ran as an independent candidate in Seoul’s Seodaemun Gap district.