[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon responded to the family of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announcing their intention to sue him for 'posthumous defamation' by saying, "The more you do that, the more you tarnish the deceased's honor."
Earlier, Park's family’s legal representative, lawyer Jung Cheol-seung, stated on the 4th, "Former professor Jin posted on Facebook implying that Mayor Park committed sexual harassment. Considering the social impact, we have decided to sue Jin," announcing their intention to file a lawsuit.
In response, former professor Jin said on the same day, "The logic of someone who is a lawyer..." and reacted with, "Pfft, go do some comedy."
Referring to the case of a law firm lawyer who was under investigation for sexually assaulting a junior female lawyer and took his own life in May, Jin questioned, "Recently, a law firm lawyer who sexually harassed female lawyers committed suicide, and the case was dismissed due to 'lack of prosecution.' Does that mean the sexual harassment he committed disappears?"
He added, "The lawsuit is laughable, but the solemn tone of that voice acting while saying they will sue irritates my diaphragm," and said, "The more you do that, the more you tarnish the deceased's honor, so please regain your reason now."
A Facebook post by Jeong Cheol-seung, legal representative of the bereaved family of the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, stating his intention to sue former Donghyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon for "defamation of the deceased." Photo by Jeong Cheol-seung
Earlier, lawyer Jung criticized former professor Jin for his recent Facebook post stating, "Most men, whether they have (gender) sensitivity or not, do not commit sexual harassment."
He argued, "The forced molestation accusation against Mayor Park Won-soon was closed by the investigative agency with a 'lack of prosecution' disposition due to the defendant's death, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) only investigated Mayor Park's discriminatory acts (sexual harassment) violating equality rights," adding, "Therefore, the claim that the late Mayor Park committed sexual harassment is a criminal act of defaming the deceased by stating false facts."
He continued, "Just a few days ago, it was widely reported in the media that a reporter and YouTuber who covered such content were sued for posthumous defamation," mocking, "Jin Joong-kwon, who claims to do current affairs commentary, seems to be ignorant of current affairs."
Meanwhile, although the case was closed with 'lack of prosecution' due to the death of former Mayor Park, the NHRC determined through an ex officio investigation last January that Mayor Park's behavior constituted sexual harassment that caused the victim to feel sexual humiliation or disgust. Additionally, in another case judgment involving the victim, the court partially acknowledged Mayor Park's sexual harassment.
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