Trial for Kim Ji-eun's Damages Lawsuit Against Ahn Hee-jung and Chungnam Starts Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The civil lawsuit trial of Kim Ji-eun, who exposed that she was sexually assaulted by former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung and sparked the 'Me Too movement,' begins today (the 11th).

The Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 22 (Presiding Judge Oh Deok-sik) will hold the first hearing of the damages claim lawsuit filed by Kim against former Governor Ahn and Chungcheongnam-do this morning.

Kim and former Governor Ahn are not expected to appear in court on this day. Attendance is not mandatory for parties in civil litigation. Instead, their legal representatives are expected to present their respective arguments.

Kim filed a lawsuit last July claiming 300 million won in damages from former Governor Ahn and Chungcheongnam-do, stating that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to Ahn’s crime. Chungcheongnam-do was included as a defendant on the grounds that Ahn’s crime occurred during the performance of his official duties.

Kim worked as Ahn’s personal secretary. In March 2018, she revealed that she was sexually assaulted and harassed by former Governor Ahn. Subsequently, Ahn was indicted on charges including sexual assault of a subordinate, sexual harassment through abuse of power at work, and forcible molestation, and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. The first trial acquitted him, but the second trial sentenced him to imprisonment and ordered his detention in court. This ruling was upheld by the Supreme Court as is.