Park Ji-hyun: "Calling for Lee Jun-seok's disciplinary action over sexual bribery is not a diversion... There is no ruling or opposition party in solving sexual violence crimes"

"President Yoon Suk-yeol Must Dismiss Presidential Secretary with Sexual Violence Record"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on the 15th, "Both ruling and opposition parties must adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual violence with a resolve to cut to the bone."

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On this day, Park posted on her Facebook under the title "There is no ruling or opposition party in solving sexual violence crimes," stating, "All sexual violence crimes reported to our party, including the cases of lawmakers Park Wan-joo and Choi Kang-wook, will be strictly handled without exception, including attempts to cover up and secondary victimization."

Park said, "There are criticisms that my call for disciplinary action regarding the sexual bribery allegations against Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is a diversion, but that is not the case," adding, "What I am advocating is for both ruling and opposition parties to come together to resolve sexual crimes in politics."

She continued, "If the Democratic Party covers up sexual violence cases, that would be a diversion, but I have no intention of covering up sexual violence crimes within the Democratic Party, nor do I plan to delay disciplinary actions because of elections." She added, "There are criticisms from inside and outside the party saying it is not the time to apologize for sexual violence crimes and that we should focus on the local elections, but elections repeat, and sexual violence repeats just as much. Solving issues that destroy individual dignity and humanity is as important as elections."

Park also criticized Yoon Jae-soon, Secretary General of the Presidential Office, who is embroiled in a sexual misconduct controversy, and President Yoon Seok-yeol, who appointed him. She pointed out, "President Yoon should apologize and dismiss the Secretary General of the Presidential Office who has a history of sexual violence."

Park said, "Yoon Jae-soon, Secretary General of the Presidential Office, was warned twice for sexually inappropriate physical contact and behavior," adding, "The Secretary General oversees personnel in the Presidential Office, including sexual violence prevention education. This is a position that cannot and should not be tolerated for the sake of the people."

She concluded, "The war against sexual violence is not a matter of ruling or opposition parties, nor a gender conflict or election strategy. It is a war between barbarism and civilization, between discrimination and equality. President Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party, which side will you stand on now? I will stand on the side of civilization, equality, and the people."