[Exclusive] "Jang Hye-young 'No Secondary Harm' Expected" Halbindan Will Not Withdraw Complaint Against Kim Jong-chul

Jang Hye-young "Regret over criminal complaint ignoring victim's will in sexual harassment"
Civic group 'Hwalbindan' "Case involving a member of the National Assembly, not an individual... Complaint is the people's right"

Justice Party leader Kim Jong-cheol, who resigned from the party leader position on the 25th due to a sexual harassment incident involving Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 26th, Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker, expressed regret over the fact that the civic group 'Hwalbindan' filed a police complaint accusing former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-chul of sexually harassing her. In response to Jang's criticism, Hwalbindan stated that it has no intention of withdrawing the complaint.

In a post on Facebook that day, Jang said, "I deeply regret that a criminal complaint against the perpetrator was filed unilaterally without any communication with me and ignoring my will," adding, "It is a reckless act that hinders my return to daily life."

She also emphasized that although she publicly revealed the fact that she was a victim, she did not file a complaint against former leader Kim, stating, "It is a choice for myself, not for the perpetrator. The sexual harassment has already been substantiated through the perpetrator's confession and the party's procedures, and a broad process of holding communal and social responsibility is underway."

Meanwhile, Hong Jeong-sik, the representative of Hwalbindan who filed the complaint against former leader Kim and is strongly condemned by Jang, clearly stated in an interview with Asia Economy that he has no intention of withdrawing the complaint.

In particular, regarding Jang's mention of the complaint as a "reckless act" on Facebook that day, he countered that filing a complaint is a citizen's right that anyone can exercise.

Regarding the reason for the complaint, he said it was filed from the standpoint of a citizen concerning the sexual misconduct case involving a Justice Party lawmaker, not just an individual. He also emphasized that through his complaint and related processes, he hopes the Justice Party will regain the public's trust.

Kim Yoon-ki, co-representative of the Emergency Measures Meeting of the Justice Party, is talking at the Emergency Measures Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The following is a Q&A with Hong Jeong-sik of Hwalbindan.

- The Justice Party expressed regret over Hwalbindan's complaint against former leader Kim. What do you think about this?

▲ I have no intention of withdrawing the complaint. If I were going to withdraw it, why would I have filed it in the first place? Filing a complaint is a citizen's right. Especially, the Justice Party expressed regret calling me 'reckless.' That is a truly unpleasant term. Why say such things about the right to file a complaint?

- The victim herself does not want the complaint. There is criticism that this is 'secondary victimization.'

▲ I repeat, filing a complaint is a citizen's right. Also, I filed the complaint with the hope that the Justice Party will truly reform itself through this investigation. Moreover, the Justice Party is currently responding to issues related to 'secondary victimization,' so I believe there will be no problem.

- What kind of image do you hope the Justice Party will show?

▲ First, I want to clarify that I have no personal relationship with Jang Hye-young. This is not a personal complaint. Jang is a lawmaker, a public figure, not a private individual. Therefore, I think this matter is even more significant. I hope the Justice Party will truly be reborn through this incident.

- What would you like to say to Jang Hye-young?

▲ She is a lawmaker, not just an individual. I hope she works hard in her legislative activities for the people.

On the 26th, Hwalbindan filed a police complaint against former leader Kim, accusing him of sexually harassing Jang. The group stated, "This is not a matter that can end with resignation or removal from office, so former leader Kim must face strict legal judgment," and requested, "Please thoroughly investigate the entire case of the 'sexual crime' committed with the authority and power of the party leader's superior position."

Earlier, the Justice Party announced that former leader Kim sexually harassed Jang on the 15th of this month and voluntarily resigned from his position. In this regard, Bae Bok-joo, vice-chair of the Justice Party's Gender and Human Rights Headquarters, criticized the civic group 'Hwalbindan' for filing a criminal complaint against former leader Kim in a radio interview on the 28th, calling it "inappropriate."

He said, "(A third party) can file a complaint, but when a third party files a complaint, the victim's will must be respected as much as possible. The victim has publicly expressed her intention for resolving this case," adding, "This situation, where the victim's will is ignored and rather feels coerced, is actually inappropriate."

It is reported that the victim, lawmaker Jang, is not considering a criminal complaint. However, sexual harassment is not a crime requiring a complaint by the victim (non-prosecution upon victim's withdrawal), so criminal punishment is possible regardless of the victim's intention or complaint.