Democratic Party Files Ethics Complaint Against Assemblywoman Jo Su-jin... "Comparing Female Lawmakers to 'Concubines,' an Outrageous Remark"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea demanded that Rep. Jo Su-jin of the People Power Party "immediately apologize for her sexually harassing remarks and resign from her position as a member of the National Assembly."

Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young criticized on the morning of the 27th during a briefing on current issues, saying, "Rep. Jo Su-jin of the People Power Party compared a fellow female lawmaker to a ‘Joseon Dynasty concubine,’ making an unprecedentedly sexually harassing and offensive remark. It is an excessive extreme statement and a disgraceful remark that will be remembered in history."

Rep. Jo wrote on Facebook the day before, mocking former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who competed in the April general election last year against Rep. Ko Min-jung, whom the Moon Jae-in administration cherished and loved, saying, “He was not chosen by the residents of Gwangjin District (Seoul). It is utterly vulgar.” This was written while introducing a Chosun Ilbo article titled ‘Oh Se-hoon mocks Ko Min-jung... Oh Shin-hwan says “This kind of lowlife is a first.”’

Rep. Jo said, “I have once again confirmed the depths of a person named ‘Ko Min-jung.’ Just before the election, the ruling party’s floor leader at the time (who later became Minister of Unification) said in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, ‘If Ko Min-jung is elected, 1 million won will be given to every citizen.’ This is what is called a ‘money power election.’ Even a concubine in the Joseon Dynasty who bore a prince would not have received such treatment. If she was elected riding on the power of ‘san gwon’ (mountain power), shouldn’t she be even more humble?”

Spokesperson Heo said, “This is beyond offensive remarks; it is clearly sexually harassing speech. Due to Rep. Jo Su-jin’s past offensive remarks, we never expected dignity from her in the first place. However, hearing such degrading and sexually harassing remarks from a fellow woman’s mouth, which insult a person’s character, is once again deeply distressing.”

He added, “Back in February 2006, then-reporter Jo Su-jin wrote an article saying, ‘The National Assembly was full of ‘excrement’ produced by politicians.’ What is Rep. Jo Su-jin doing now? Rep. Jo Su-jin must immediately apologize to the victimized lawmaker of her sexually harassing remarks and apologize to the public. Furthermore, she should immediately resign from her position as a member of the National Assembly.”

Spokesperson Heo also stated, “The Democratic Party of Korea will not overlook this and will take necessary measures such as filing a complaint with the Ethics Committee.”