Received Severe Disciplinary Actions for Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Paju Citizens' Participation Solidarity has selected current Paju Mayor Choi Jong-hwan and mayoral candidate Lee Sang-hyeop as subjects for disqualification. They raised issues regarding domestic violence and sexual harassment allegations, respectively.
On the 9th, the Paju Citizens' Participation Solidarity sent an official letter and correspondence to the Democratic Party Gyeonggi Province Office stating, "After verifying the morality of the Democratic Party's Paju mayoral candidates, we announce that current Mayor Choi Jong-hwan and candidate Lee Sang-hyeop are disqualified. We strongly request the withdrawal of their candidacies and exclusion from nomination."
According to them, Mayor Choi had previously been disciplined for allegations of domestic violence. Regarding this, Mayor Choi was expelled by the party's Ethics Committee last year but, after a retrial, the decision was changed to a three-month suspension of party membership. As for candidate Lee, it is known that he received a severe disciplinary action related to sexual harassment of a female employee at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration while serving as a defense expert committee member of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee.
The Paju Citizens' Participation Solidarity stated, "We face the anger of sovereign voters who have no choice but to cast reluctant votes for candidates whose morality is in doubt and who lack citizens' trust. We hope that by disqualifying the selected candidates in the official letter, public trust will be restored and the door to hopeful politics will be opened."
Meanwhile, candidate Lee's side clarified in a statement, "Candidate Lee has never engaged in any behavior that could be considered sexual harassment, and the severe disciplinary action related to sexual harassment allegations is completely untrue. He has never used military helicopters for private purposes either." They added, "Regarding reports by some media about sexual harassment allegations and disciplinary actions, we are currently pursuing 'correction reports and damages lawsuits' against the 'relevant media outlets and reporters.'"
Candidate Lee also expressed regret over being included in the disqualification list despite having explained the related matters in detail to the Paju Citizens' Participation Solidarity. He also announced plans for legal action in this regard.
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