Democratic Party Expels Lawmaker Park Wan-joo Over 'Sexual Misconduct Allegations'... Sincere Apology Amid Ongoing Sexual Issues (Comprehensive)

Related Case Received Leading to Expulsion
Additional Disciplinary Action Requested by National Assembly
Minbohyup "Concerns Over Abuse of Superior Command"

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to expel Representative Park Wan-joo, who is under suspicion of sexual misconduct. The party leadership apologized, stating that they must create a party that treats women as complete individuals amid a series of sexual misconduct incidents within the party.

On the 12th, the Democratic Party held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly and passed a resolution to expel Representative Park. Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's emergency committee, told reporters after the meeting, "This is a party-level response to the occurrence of sexual misconduct incidents within the party," adding, "To prevent secondary harm and protect the victims, detailed information will not be disclosed."

Regarding the incident's details, she explained, "The case was received and action was taken accordingly, which was then resolved by the emergency committee." She also said, "We plan to request disciplinary action to ensure strong measures are taken at the National Assembly level regarding related cases," and expressed regret over the occurrence of sexual misconduct incidents within the party.

Spokesperson Shin stated, "Going forward, we will strive to prioritize the protection and safety of victims within our party," and added, "The Democratic Party will firmly respond to any future sexual misconduct incidents."

Further disciplinary measures are expected to be reviewed and decided upon after examination and discussion at the National Assembly Ethics Reporting Center.

The Democratic Party has recently been embroiled in consecutive sexual misconduct scandals, including allegations that Representative Choi Kang-wook made sexually harassing remarks during a private online meeting on the 28th of last month. Regarding this, Spokesperson Shin said, "An investigation by the Ethics Inspection Team is underway," and explained, "Since the investigation has concluded and the case has been referred to the adjudication panel, follow-up actions will proceed."

In response, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the emergency committee, stated on Facebook, "This is a careful decision made after thorough investigation by the party’s Ethics Inspection Team and leadership," and added, "As co-chair of the Democratic Party’s emergency committee, I sincerely apologize to the public."

She continued, "I have one request: please refrain from speculating about the victim’s personal information, as this could further distress the victim."

She said, "Our party must break away from past wrongs," and added, "The repeated sexual misconduct incidents within the party are truly painful. We must create a party that treats women as complete individuals to stand proudly before the public." She emphasized, "We will not give up," and declared, "We will build a Democratic Party and a Republic of Korea that respects everyone equally."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Democratic Party Staff Association issued a statement expressing concern, saying, "Despite various issues including sexual misconduct, there are offices pushing for dismissal of lawmakers and, when negotiations fail, pursuing dismissal by authority," and criticized, "This undermines the purpose of the system and raises concerns about situations where superior positions and relationships are abused. We raise this issue to state that such decisions cannot be respected."