Jo Dong-yeon "There is evidence of sexual assault... Statement released with children's consent"

"A Voyeuristic Violence Like Exposing One's Private Family Matters"

Professor Jo Dong-yeon of the Department of Military Science at Seokyeong University, who resigned from the position of Co-Chairman of the Election Countermeasures Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Following the announcement by Professor Jo Dong-yeon of the Department of Military Studies at Seokyeong University, who resigned from his position as co-chairman of the Democratic Party's election countermeasures committee amid an illegitimate child controversy, stating that "it was an unwanted pregnancy due to sexual assault," an additional statement was made: "There is evidence of the sexual violence perpetrator's actions, and the disclosure was made with the consent of the child."

Jo's legal representative, Attorney Yang Tae-jung, said in a phone interview with JTBC's 'Newsroom' on the 6th, "The issue of Professor Jo Dong-yeon's illegitimate child arose, but it was not due to infidelity or an affair; it was caused by unwanted sexual violence in 2010. Professor Jo himself knows and possesses information and evidence regarding the perpetrator and the acts committed by the perpetrator in the past."

He continued, "He explained to the children that (the two children) have different fathers and about such relationships, and both the current spouse and the spouse's parents understand this."

Regarding the statement made on the 5th that "the pregnancy was unwanted due to sexual violence by a third party," Attorney Yang said that consent was obtained from the child. He stated, "False allegations continue to be raised, and I thought it was causing significant harm to those around. After much consideration and consultation with family and children, this statement was issued."

He added, "This is a personal matter of an individual and a family. For people who have no stake and are not involved to expose this is no different from voyeuristic violence. We ask that excessive invasion of privacy and the spread of false information about Professor Jo and his family stop."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the prosecution on the 3rd against Kang Yong-seok, the lawyer who first raised suspicions about Professor Jo's private life, and Kim Se-ui, a former reporter, along with other cast members of the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute,' on charges of defamation of candidates under the Public Official Election Act and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.