"Sorry to Park Won-soon's Victims," Apology from Park Young-sun... Opposition Candidates Say "Should Not Have Run"

Candidate Park: "Will Support Former Mayor Park's Victims' Return to Daily Life"
"Dedicated Counselors Needed to Prevent Secondary Harm"
Opposition Candidates Protest: "Apology Too Late", "Shouldn't Have Run If Sorry"

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is speaking at the 1st Central Election Committee meeting held on the 8th at Park's campaign office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The candidates from both ruling and opposition parties running in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election clashed over the sexual harassment case involving the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. When Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, bowed her head and said, "I offer my sincere apologies" to the victim of the sexual harassment case, opposition candidates criticized her, saying, "It's too late," and "Running itself is a secondary harm."

On the morning of the 8th, at her campaign office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Candidate Park said, "I, as a representative, once again offer my sincere apologies to the female victim," and added, "I will do everything I can to help the victim return to her daily life as soon as possible."

This is the first time Candidate Park has directly apologized regarding the sexual harassment case of former Mayor Park since announcing her candidacy for the by-election.

Regarding support measures for the victim of the sexual harassment case, Candidate Park explained specifically, "We need to change the social atmosphere that makes wounded women feel very lonely and sometimes frustrated," and "We must change workplace culture to prevent secondary harm, and a dedicated counselor within the workplace will be necessary."

She also said, "There will be a point when the victim of (former Mayor Park's case) thinks our apology is sufficient," and "At that time, I would like to meet and have a direct conversation."

Ahn Cheol-soo, the candidate of the People’s Party running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Opposition candidates for Seoul mayor criticized Candidate Park's apology, suggesting that "running in the by-election itself is a form of secondary harm." Since the election is being held in the wake of former Mayor Park's sexual misconduct case, there are claims that Candidate Park, a member of the Democratic Party, bears indirect responsibility.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party candidate, met with reporters ahead of the "International Women's Day Ceremony" held at the Air Force Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and said, "I am angry at Candidate Park's insincere apology," and urged, "If she has a conscience, she should expel the so-called 'three complainants'?Nam In-soon, Jin Sun-mi, and Ko Min-jung?from her campaign."

The so-called "three complainants" mentioned by Candidate Ahn are Democratic Party lawmakers who, after the former Mayor Park case in July last year, asserted that the women claiming to be victims of sexual harassment were indeed victims. Among them, Representatives Nam and Jin currently serve as co-heads of Candidate Park's campaign headquarters, and Representative Ko holds the position of spokesperson.

Candidate Ahn also pointed out, "If she truly feels sorry for the victims, (Candidate Park) should not have run," and added, "Running itself is secondary harm."

Oh Se-hoon, People Power Party Candidate for Seoul Mayor / Photo by Yonhap News

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, also criticized Candidate Park, saying, "Her apology was too late and belated."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, Candidate Oh said, "Despite the Moon Jae-in administration, the Democratic Party, and Seoul city officials committing secondary and tertiary harm to the victim, and the National Human Rights Commission and courts effectively acknowledging the sexual harassment, (Candidate Park) showed no apology or remorse from the declaration of candidacy through debates and dozens of media interviews."

He continued, "Suddenly, just one month before the main election, she completely reversed her stance," and questioned, "Did she feel compelled to make a token gesture by announcing women's policy pledges on International Women's Day?"

He added, "If she hurriedly apologized because she felt pressured after polls showed that either I or Candidate Ahn, the unified opposition candidate, would defeat Park Young-sun, then she has made a self-defeating move."