Baek Bok-ju: "Rep. Jang Hye-young's Disclosure of Victimization is a Choice for 'Restoration of Daily Life'"

Justice Party Faces Sexual Harassment by Party Leader, Focuses on Reform

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Bae Bok-joo, Vice Representative of the Justice Party, emphasized reform over party dissolution or reestablishment in response to the sexual harassment incident involving former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-chul.

Vice Representative Bae Bok-ju and Chief Spokesperson Jeong Ho-jin of the Justice Party are explaining and apologizing on the 25th at the National Assembly Communication Hall regarding the resignation of Representative Kim Jong-chul due to sexual harassment. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the 26th, Vice Representative Bae appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning' and spoke about the party's future response, stating, "(Through meetings) we will discuss the emergency response system, future measures to prevent recurrence, and communicating more sincerely with party members, following that flow of content." When asked if opinions such as party dissolution proposed by some members were being considered, she replied, "No, they are not."

Vice Representative Bae explained that Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young, the victim of the sexual harassment incident, chose to reveal her identity as a step toward 'restoring normalcy.'

She said, "According to Jang lawmaker's beliefs, she could not separate herself as the victim Jang Hye-young from Jang Hye-young the lawmaker, and it seemed very difficult for her to carry out legislative activities without revealing that she was a victim in daily life. She judged that revealing her name and being able to engage in everyday politics in the National Assembly was a restoration of normalcy, and that by openly acknowledging she was a victim while doing politics, and having people recognize that, she could express her voice more accurately."

Meanwhile, regarding the National Human Rights Commission's conclusion that the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, committed sexual harassment, Vice Representative Bae said, "The victim wanted to prove the facts of the harm through investigative agencies and sought redress, but it was regrettable that such a situation did not occur. It is very welcome that the Human Rights Commission judged it as sexual harassment and sexual assault, and I hope it brings some comfort to the victims."