[Summary] Kim Jong-cheol Resigns Over Sexual Harassment... Sim Sang-jung Consoles Jang Hye-young... Apologizes to the Public

Kim Jong-chul and Jang Hye-young Admit Sexual Harassment
Jang Hye-young "Human Dignity Violated by Political Ally"

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, is giving a farewell speech at a retirement press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of September 24 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Sim Sang-jung, a lawmaker of the Justice Party, expressed, regarding the sexual harassment incident involving former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-chul and lawmaker Jang Hye-young, that "a deep pain surges from the bottom of my heart" and "I feel infinite responsibility as someone who served as party leader." Earlier, former leader Kim admitted to sexually harassing lawmaker Jang and abruptly resigned from his position as party leader.

On the 25th, Sim posted on her Facebook, saying, "I feel deeply sorry and apologetic to the party members who must be devastated and the disappointed public upon hearing the news." Sim previously served as the Justice Party leader immediately before Kim.

Sim also expressed solidarity and support for the victim, lawmaker Jang. She said, "I send deep consolation and steadfast solidarity to lawmaker Jang, who courageously endured pain to restore her own dignity and to stand in solidarity with other victims."

She added, "The Central Party Ethics Committee will make a strict judgment based on principles and thoroughly monitor until lawmaker Jang fully recovers and confidently carries out her legislative activities."

Furthermore, she stated, "The fact that the party leader is the perpetrator means that everything within the party must be reexamined from the ground up. I will also take time for deeper reflection to see if I have overlooked anything."

Kim Jong-chul, leader of the Justice Party, resigned from the party leader position due to a sexual harassment incident. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier that day, the Justice Party confirmed on the 15th that former leader Kim had sexually harassed lawmaker Jang and suspended him from his position.

Bae Bok-joo, the Justice Party vice-chairperson in charge of the Gender and Human Rights Headquarters, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, "On the evening of January 15th, former leader Kim had a dinner meeting with lawmaker Jang Hye-young in Yeouido for party affairs consultation, and on the way out, the sexual harassment incident against lawmaker Jang occurred."

Subsequently, former leader Kim admitted to all facts and expressed his intention to resign, and the Justice Party leadership decided to suspend him from his position.

In a written statement, former leader Kim said, "No matter what responsibility I take now, it is difficult to erase my perpetration. I bow my head and apologize to the victim. I also offer my deep apologies to party members and the public."

Lawmaker Jang, who disclosed the victimization, expressed her feelings in a statement that day, saying, "The shock and pain of having my dignity as an equal human being violated by the political comrade with whom I have called for the eradication of gender violence and deeply trusted as our party leader were truly immense."

Jang added, "I am truly afraid of the unjust secondary harm that will come to me by disclosing the victimization. However, what I fear more is losing myself. Even at this moment, countless victims are still desperately fighting to restore their dignity. I sincerely send solidarity to all victims. We will surely return to our daily lives together."