Kim Geon-hee's remark "Ahn Hee-jung is pitiful" prompts Shin Ji-ye's reappearance: "Even though she suffered from Julie allegations..."

"The victim demands an apology... This is not something to be dismissed as a private conversation"

At the end of last year, Shin Ji-ye, former head of the Korean Women's Political Network (center), was recruited as the senior vice chairman of the New Era Preparation Committee, an organization directly under Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Shin Ji-ye, former head of the Korean Women’s Political Network who was recruited to the People Power Party’s (PPP) election campaign committee but resigned earlier this month, criticized Kim Gun-hee, spouse of PPP presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, regarding her so-called 'Ahn Hee-jung defense remarks,' stating that "this is not an issue to be dismissed as a private conversation."

On the 18th, Shin wrote on her Facebook, "With the release of the 7-hour phone recording of Ms. Kim, the statement 'My husband and I feel sorry for Ahn Hee-jung' regarding the Ahn Hee-jung sexual assault case has become problematic," expressing her criticism.

She continued, "There are various opinions. Some judge it as secondary harm by a public figure, while others claim it was merely a private conversation," and pointed out, "In particular, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, argues that secondary harm cannot be established."

Shin emphasized, "This was a conversation between the candidate’s wife and a reporter, and it is not something to be overlooked as a private conversation," adding, "If the media broadcasted the statement and the victim demanded an apology, but it is dismissed as not secondary harm and nothing is done, that itself is secondary harm."

Shin also pointed out that Kim Gun-hee has suffered from misogyny due to the so-called 'Julie allegations.' She said, "The violence inflicted on Kim Ji-eun is no different from the violence Kim Gun-hee is experiencing. They call Kim Gun-hee 'Julie,'" and stressed, "Portraying Kim Gun-hee’s success as something obtained not through legitimate routes but by using her identity as a woman is misogyny."

She further stated, "Despite Kim Ji-eun having received a court ruling, she continues to suffer secondary harm, enduring ridicule and threats, unable to regain her daily life," and criticized, "If even the opposition presidential candidate turns their back on the victim just because supporters like Ahn Hee-jung or many voters avoid Kim Ji-eun, can that be a country where fairness and justice are achieved?"

Contents of the 7-hour recorded conversation of Ms. Kim Gun-hee aired on MBC current affairs program 'Exploratory Planning Straight' / Photo by MBC Broadcasting Capture

On the 16th, MBC’s current affairs program 'Straight' released the transcript of a 7-hour phone call between Ms. Kim and a YouTube media reporter.

At the time, Ms. Kim said, "The Me Too movement was first triggered during the Moon Jae-in administration, and they said to catch them. Why catch them now?" and "Life is too bleak. Honestly, I feel sorry for Ahn Hee-jung. My husband (candidate Yoon Seok-yeol) and I are on Ahn Hee-jung’s side," defending former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who was prosecuted and sentenced to prison in 2018 for sexually assaulting his former secretary.

In response, Kim Ji-eun, the victim of Ahn’s sexual assault case, immediately demanded an apology from Ms. Kim. On the 17th, through the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, Kim Ji-eun issued a statement saying, "I saw Kim Gun-hee’s attitude treating a case confirmed guilty by the court with conspiracy theories and mockery," and urged, "I also heard words that easily disparage the Me Too movement, which contains the victims’ cries. I demand a sincere apology from Ms. Kim."

Amid growing controversy, Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University’s Department of Criminal Psychology, who serves as an advisor to the PPP’s Women’s Headquarters, apologized and expressed her intention to resign on the same day.

Professor Lee bowed her head and said, "Despite the candidate’s wife herself having suffered long-term pain due to misogynistic character assassination from the 'Julie allegations,' I sincerely apologize for not providing careful consideration to the pain of Kim Ji-eun, the sexual assault victim."

According to multiple media reports on the day, Professor Lee is said to have expressed her intention to resign from her advisory position at the Women’s Headquarters.