'Park Won-soon Sexual Harassment' The Issues That Must Begin with the Conclusion Statement

Victim Protection and Establishment of Recurrence Prevention Measures
Need for a Shift in Perception Regarding Sexual Harassment
Accountability Must Also Be Held for Suspects Leaking Complaints

Choi Young-ae, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, is delivering an opening remark at the plenary session held on the 25th at the National Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul. The Commission submitted the results report of the ex officio investigation into the former Seoul mayor's sexual harassment to the plenary session as an agenda item for resolution and discussion. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] It was confirmed through a suo motu investigation by the National Human Rights Commission yesterday that the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, sexually harassed Seoul city employees through inappropriate physical contact and text messages. The controversy that lasted for six months following Park’s death in July last year has come to an end for now. However, issues remain regarding the establishment of victim protection and recurrence prevention measures by local governments including Seoul City, as well as the accountability of those who leaked the fact that Park was accused.

According to the Human Rights Commission on the 26th, the top priority is improving the sexual violence prevention system in local governments such as Seoul City. The Commission pointed out that when a local government head is the perpetrator of sexual harassment, there are no regulations to sanction other than resignation or criminal punishment of the individual, and that if the victim uses the internal sexual harassment grievance system, confidentiality is not maintained and a fair investigation is difficult to expect, urging institutional improvements.

The Commission emphasized, "Our society must shift its perspective on sexual harassment from ‘an issue between the victim and the perpetrator as individuals’ to ‘a problem of organizational culture and hierarchical structure.’" Institutions that receive recommendations from the Commission must notify the Commission of their implementation plans within 90 days from the day of the recommendation. However, even if the institution does not comply, the Commission can only publicly announce the ‘reasons for non-acceptance of the recommendation’ and cannot impose sanctions or disadvantages.

The issue of holding those who leaked the accusation against former Mayor Park legally and politically accountable also remains. After the Human Rights Commission’s investigation results, A, Park’s secretary and victim, issued a statement saying, "It is time for those who must take responsibility to do so," and criticized, "Since the sexual harassment has been acknowledged, those involved in leaking the accusation and the victim’s request for support should step down and apologize to the victim."

Democratic Party lawmaker Nam In-soon and former executive director of the Korean Women’s Associations United Kim Young-soon are suspected of leaking the accusation of sexual assault against former Mayor Park. The limitations of the Human Rights Commission’s investigation, which lacks compulsory investigative authority, were also revealed. Although the circumstances under which the accusation was leaked to Park’s side were a heated issue, it could not be confirmed due to non-cooperation from related agencies such as the police, prosecution, and the Blue House, and refusal to answer by key witnesses citing ‘under investigation.’