Justice Party "Will Firmly Respond to Sympathy for Sexual Harassment Perpetrators"

Kim Yoon-ki, Acting Leader of the Justice Party
Opening Remarks at the Strategy Council on the 26th
Firm Response to Sympathy for Perpetrators and Blame on Victims

Justice Party leader Kim Jong-chul is holding a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Justice Party stated regarding the sexual harassment incident involving former party leader Kim Jong-chul, "Mentioning the specific acts of (sexual harassment) only obscures the essence of the incident."

They also declared that they will respond firmly against shifting responsibility onto the victim or sympathizing with the perpetrator.

On the 26th, Kim Yoon-gi, acting leader of the Justice Party, said in his opening remarks at the strategy meeting held that day, "This is a clear sexual harassment case that the perpetrator has already admitted and apologized for," adding, "Details such as the specific acts at the time of the incident and whether alcohol was involved only obscure the essence of the case."

Acting leader Kim emphasized, "The Justice Party will respond firmly to all secondary harm, including victim-blaming and sympathizing with the perpetrator." He also added a request to report any content that appears to be secondary harm via email through the party's website or SNS. Furthermore, he mentioned to the Central Party Ethics Committee, "I urge you to take the swiftest and most severe measures possible."

Regarding the criminal complaint filed by conservative groups against former leader Kim Jong-chul, he stated, "The victim has already expressed the resolution method they desire, and respecting this comes first." He also mentioned that conducting an investigation against the victim's wishes is undesirable.

Acting leader Kim said, "The Justice Party has raised its voice for a society that respects dignity, gender equality, and human rights, and has made efforts such as gender equality education within the party, but it has become clear that there is still a long way to go." He added, "We will review whether gender discrimination and sexual violence occur routinely within our party as well, examine the overall organizational culture, and prepare countermeasures. We will take this as an opportunity for a thorough transformation through painstaking efforts."