[Summary] "Shock and Outrage over Sexual Harassment in Justice Party" Backlash from Ruling Party Criticism... Opposition Says "Audacity Has Its Limits"

"Ruling party has no right to say this," "We have much to say," opposition backlash
Calls for self-reflection within the Democratic Party
Kwon In-sook: "Democratic Party statement is too embarrassing and tragic"
"Attitude of othering as if others suffered... must not forget responsibility"

Choi In-ho, Senior Spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The Democratic Party of Korea's criticism of former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-cheol's sexual harassment case as "an event beyond shock, one that is utterly appalling" has sparked backlash in the political sphere. The opposition parties have poured criticism on the ruling party, saying it is a case of "the pot calling the kettle black." Notably, voices of self-reflection have also emerged within the Democratic Party, describing the situation as "shameful and tragic."

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 25th, Choi In-ho, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, in a written briefing on current issues, criticized Kim's sexual harassment case by saying, "This incident is a sexual harassment case committed not by just anyone, but by the leader of a public political party," and added, "It is beyond shocking and utterly appalling. Moreover, the Justice Party has been at the forefront in voicing issues related to gender, human rights, and gender equality values."

He further pointed out, "Considering the Justice Party's image until now, the shock to the public from this incident is hard to measure," and "The repercussions going forward will be even greater."

However, the opposition parties responded to the ruling party's criticism by saying it was "the pot calling the kettle black." They questioned whether the ruling party, which has been embroiled in sexual misconduct allegations involving high-ranking officials such as the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, has the right to criticize others.

On the 26th, Lee Jong-bae, policy committee chairman of the People Power Party, said at the party's floor meeting, "The Democratic Party said that Kim's case was beyond shocking and utterly appalling and called for zero tolerance and prevention of secondary damage. But does the Democratic Party really have the right to say this?" He pointed out, "Former Governor Ahn Hee-jung of Chungnam, former Mayor Park, and former Mayor Oh Keo-don of Busan all committed shameless sexual violence."

He continued, "Nevertheless, the Democratic Party did not take any responsible measures as a public party and did not hesitate to inflict secondary harm on the victims," criticizing the party.

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, listens with a stern expression to Floor Leader Kang Eun-mi's apology regarding the sexual harassment case involving former leader Kim Jong-chul at a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Justice Party also responded, saying, "We have much to say, but we absolutely will not," and pushed back.

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker who took over party duties from Jang Hye-young, the victim of former leader Kim's case, and was appointed as the senior deputy floor leader and floor spokesperson, said in her inaugural speech that she would "definitely accept the advice and take measures based on the principle of zero tolerance" regarding the Democratic Party's commentary.

Ryu also appeared on MBC radio that day and said, "(The Democratic Party) seems to have spoken knowing that the Justice Party must fully bear the criticism of 'How are you different from the Democratic Party?'" She sarcastically criticized, "They advised us to prevent further harm, and I promise we will definitely and precisely do so."

On the 26th, Kwon In-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, called for self-reflection, describing the Democratic Party's statement from the previous day as "shameful and devastating." / Photo by Yonhap News

As opposition backlash against the Democratic Party's commentary grows, voices of self-reflection have also emerged within the ruling party.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook posted a message titled "I apologize" on her Facebook that day, stating, "The news of the incident was shocking, but the statement released by the Democratic Party regarding the Justice Party incident was truly shameful and tragic."

Kwon criticized, "The Democratic Party also faces the same issues and challenges, yet it adopts an attitude of othering, as if the problem happened to someone else, calling it shocking and appalling. I don't understand how that is possible."

She added, "The Justice Party incident and the former Mayor Park case showed that sexual violence can easily occur regardless of the values and beliefs one usually advocates," emphasizing, "There is no room to criticize other parties. The Democratic Party must actively expose the causes of repeated power-based sexual crimes and must not forget its duty to resolve them."