Sajunmo Demands Disciplinary Action Against Prosecutor Jin Hyewon... "Mocking Park Won-soon Victims and Secondary Harm"

Photo by Jin Hyewon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, Facebook capture [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A civic group has submitted a petition to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office requesting disciplinary action against Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jin Hye-won of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, accusing her of making secondary victimization remarks toward the victim who filed a sexual harassment charge against the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

The Association of Judicial Exam Preparers (Sajunmo) announced on the 22nd that it had submitted the disciplinary request petition against Prosecutor Jin to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office through the National Petition System.

On the 15th, Prosecutor Jin posted on her Facebook a controversial post comparing the court that ruled there was sexual harassment by former Mayor Park in a separate case to the "Nazi stormtroopers," and mentioned terms such as "flower snake" (a derogatory term for a woman who traps men), sparking controversy. Additionally, in July last year, she posted a photo of herself arm-in-arm with former Mayor Park along with the caption, "I confess. I sexually harassed an adult male by linking arms," which also caused controversy.

Sajunmo emphasized, "Prosecutor Jin has repeatedly posted such inappropriate content on her Facebook, and if there is no severe disciplinary action, there is a high likelihood that she will post such content again," adding, "It is necessary to impose severe disciplinary measures."

Women's organizations also opposed Prosecutor Jin's remarks and demanded her dismissal. Four organizations, including the Korean Women's Political Network, held a press conference in front of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office the day before, stating, "Prosecutor Jin Hye-won, who has continuously made secondary victimization remarks toward victims of sexual violence in the political sphere, is subject to disciplinary action under the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act," and urged, "The Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice must refer Prosecutor Jin to the disciplinary committee and dismiss her."