Kim Jin-ae: "Park Won-soon Should Not Have Left Like That... He Should Have Revealed the Truth and Acknowledged His Flaws"

Jinae Kim, Open Democratic Party Seoul Mayoral Candidate
"We Must Coolly Face Former Mayor Park's Achievements and Failures for Our Daughter and Son"

Kim Jin-ae, the Open Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is holding a press conference related to the by-election at the National Assembly Press Hall on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Kim Jin-ae, the Open Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, said, "Mayor Park Won-soon should not have left in that way. Despite the hardships to come, we had to live together by revealing the truth that needed to be revealed and acknowledging the flaws that needed to be acknowledged."

At a press conference on the 7th, candidate Kim said, "We must coldly face the merits and demerits of former Mayor Park Won-soon." She also urged, "The Democratic Party of Korea needs to clearly state its position on former Mayor Park Won-soon."

Candidate Kim opened by saying, "I am not sure about the positions of other female candidates, but I, Kim Jin-ae, would like to calmly express my opinion." She mentioned, "Former Mayor Park left while bewildering many citizens, and after months of disputes over the truth and secondary damage, the National Human Rights Commission announced a result recognizing 'sexual harassment,' yet many people still have lingering doubts in their hearts."

She said, "In my judgment, the biggest fault of former Mayor Park Won-soon was that even if he had flaws regarding sexual harassment, he left abruptly without any explanation or clarification." She added, "Even just before leaving, support for Park Won-soon's Seoul administration exceeded 60%. I think our society must comprehensively reflect on this very doubt."

Candidate Kim particularly questioned, "How can a human being be flawless?" and said, "Why did figures who gave 'hope for change' have to leave this world by themselves? This is why media reform, prosecution reform, and political reform are absolutely necessary in our society." Specifically, if she becomes Seoul mayor, Kim said she would create a 'Speak Up Citizens Committee' to discuss all difficulties in the workplace, including power harassment, gender discrimination against women and men, and workplace bullying, regardless of gender or rank.

Candidate Kim also mentioned the Me Too movement. She emphasized that the framework of perpetrator and victim should not confine specific genders or individuals. Kim said, "The Me Too movement is not a women's movement. Both women and men can be exposed to power-based sexual crimes," and added, "Men are not the enemy. The Me Too movement should not lead to confrontation between women and men."

Candidate Kim said, "While engaging in social activities, I have experienced several unpleasant incidents that would be considered sexual harassment or sexual assault by today's standards, but I mostly endured them personally or resolved the issues in my own way." She continued, "In this regard, I want to applaud the younger generation for stepping forward and raising their voices in the Me Too movement."