Justice Party "Claims of Leadership Ignoring Sexual Violence Cases Are Not True"

"The Duty Officer Sexual Assault Case Will Be Investigated and Disciplinary Procedures Will Be Taken"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Justice Party stated on the 17th that the claim that the party leadership ignored the sexual violence incident revealed by former Youth Justice Party representative Kang Min-jin is "not true."

Lee Dong-young, the chief spokesperson of the Justice Party, explained during a briefing at the National Assembly communication office on the same day, "Regarding the media reports in which former representative Kang claimed a sexual violence incident, the party convened an emergency representative meeting to thoroughly verify the facts of the incident," but added, "The media reports stating that the party leader ignored or concealed the incident are not true."

Spokesperson Lee introduced, "On November 21 of last year, former committee member Kang informed the then chairperson of the party's Gender and Human Rights Special Committee about the incident. The next day, Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk held a closed representative meeting without any attendees upon Kang's request, and as per Kang's demand, decided on a strict warning and a written apology for Committee Chairperson A." The following day, the chairperson of the Gender and Human Rights Special Committee received the apology letter and delivered it to former representative Kang, and after confirming Kang's agreement and acceptance of the apology letter's content, the incident was concluded."

Regarding this, spokesperson Lee said, "Former representative Kang conveyed to the chairperson of the Gender and Human Rights Special Committee that while this matter was not to be regarded as sexual violence, since the person involved was running in the local elections, a strict warning and apology were necessary for showing disrespectful behavior toward young party members." He also explained, "After reviewing the apology letter, Kang responded to the chairperson of the Gender and Human Rights Special Committee indicating that 'the content is acceptable and will be accepted.'"

Regarding the nomination of Mr. A in the local elections, it was introduced that the issue itself was about "a warning and apology for disrespectful behavior toward young party members," and thus did not fall under sexual violence, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct.

Furthermore, regarding the case filed with the party's disciplinary committee on the 13th of this month concerning the sexual violence incident involving former representative Kang's party staff, the party intends to proceed with disciplinary measures. Spokesperson Lee stated, "In accordance with the zero-tolerance principle and party regulations, we will verify the facts and carry out strict disciplinary procedures," and added, "We deeply regret and apologize for the recurrence of sexual violence incidents within the party."