Kim Geon-hee "MeToo happens because no money is given", "Ahn Hee-jung is pitiful"
Yoon "Already apologized in writing, my wife and I share the same view"
Lee Jun-seok "Private conversation, no secondary damage" defends
Women's groups "Mocking victims, disparaging MeToo movement"
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing policy pledges related to people with disabilities on the morning of the 19th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Controversy has arisen over remarks made by Kim Gunhee, spouse of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, in the '7-hour phone call transcript,' which included statements defending former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual violence charges.
Kim Ji-eun, the sexual violence victim of former Governor Ahn, and women's groups have officially demanded an apology. However, the People Power Party has shown an evasive attitude, claiming it is a private conversation and not a secondary victimization. Some critics argue that the People Power Party is ignoring sincere apologies to the victim while focusing only on courting certain supporters.
In the transcript of a phone call between Kim and a reporter from Seoul Voice, aired by MBC's 'Straight' on the 16th, Kim made disparaging remarks about the #MeToo movement, saying, "Conservatives don't exploit people for free or have such incidents. That's why #MeToo doesn't break out much," and "The reason #MeToo breaks out is because they don't get paid."
Kim also said, "So, #MeToo first broke out during the Moon Jae-in administration, and they said they would catch them. But why would they want to catch them?" and added, "Honestly, I feel sorry for Ahn Hee-jung. My husband (Candidate Yoon) and I are very much on Ahn Hee-jung's side."
In response, victim Kim Ji-eun demanded an official apology. On the 17th, through the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, Kim Ji-eun issued a statement saying, "I have now clearly realized that secondary perpetrators exist not only in the Blue House and the ruling party candidate's camp but also in the opposition camp," and strongly criticized, "The thoughtless words you uttered have become seeds of secondary victimization, and I am still suffering from malicious comments."
She continued, "I do not expect you to change the world. But please do not become obstacles to efforts for change," and said, "I will fight to the end against you who divide, manipulate, and mock the people with your limited power."
On the afternoon of the 16th, the electronic billboard at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, was showing "Straight," which covers the content of the "7-hour phone call" of Kim Geon-hee, spouse of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. Photo by Yonhap News
According to 'Straight,' Kim's side issued a written statement regarding the #MeToo remarks, saying, "These words came out in the process of criticizing some progressive figures in the ruling party who exploited women sexually, and we sincerely apologize to the public." Candidate Yoon also met with reporters after visiting a guide dog school for the visually impaired on the 19th, saying, "I apologize and am sorry to those who were hurt during the reporting process," and "I have already explained in writing, and my wife and I share the same thoughts." However, a direct apology to Kim Ji-eun has not yet been made.
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, also argued that Kim's remarks cannot be considered secondary victimization. Appearing on the YouTube channel News Tomato's 'No Young-hee's News Insider,' Lee said, "If the candidate's spouse expressed her personal opinion about Kim Ji-eun in a public space to a large audience, the term secondary victimization might apply," but added, "Since it was a private phone call, I think it is difficult to apply the term secondary victimization. We need to separate the two," defending Kim.
Women's groups immediately voiced criticism. Lee Soo-jung, a professor of criminal psychology at Kyonggi University and former advisor to the People Power Party's Women's Headquarters, expressed an apology and resigned from her advisory position. On the 17th, Professor Lee wrote on Facebook, "Despite the candidate's wife suffering for a long time from misogynistic character assassination due to the 'Julie rumor,' I sincerely apologize for not showing careful consideration for the pain of sexual violence victim Kim Ji-eun." After strong backlash from People Power Party supporters questioning "Why apologize?" Professor Lee eventually resigned from her advisory role.
Shin Ji-ye, former head of the Korean Women's Political Network who was recruited to the People Power Party's election committee but resigned earlier this month, also criticized Candidate Yoon and Kim, saying, "This is not an issue to be dismissed as a private conversation."
On the 18th, Shin wrote on Facebook, "(Even if it is a private conversation) the remarks were broadcast by the media, and despite the victim's demand for an apology, if nothing is done and it is claimed not to be secondary victimization, that itself is secondary victimization," and questioned, "Is it justifiable to pity Ahn Hee-jung when even the presidential candidate's wife suffers from misogyny?"
The Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center repeatedly urged the People Power Party to apologize. In a statement, they said, "Kim Gunhee defended former Governor Ahn, distorted the facts of the case, mocked the victim, and disparaged the #MeToo movement," and pointed out, "The victim demanded a sincere apology, but Kim Gunhee, who made the secondary victimization remarks, has not appeared."
They also criticized MBC, which aired the transcript containing the secondary victimization remarks, saying, "They selectively broadcast this part from over seven hours of conversation. Was there no internal review considering that the broadcast alone could reproduce secondary victimization?" and asked, "An MBC radio current affairs program inquired whether the victim could appear live for an interview. Is MBC trying to put the victim back on the chopping block without self-reflection or internal review?"
Furthermore, "Seoul Voice, which provided the transcript to MBC, uploaded the audio file of the #MeToo disparaging remarks on YouTube, achieving record-high views, and the comments are filled with secondary victimization against the victim and misogyny against Kim Gunhee," they said, adding, "We can no longer stand by and watch this situation in the presidential election and political circles. Politics without promises, responsibility, or reflection is not hope but harm."
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