Park Ji-hyun: "The swift removal of Park Wan-joo's parliamentary seat must proceed... This is an opportunity for innovation"

Application of Zero Tolerance Policy for Sexual Crimes

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Committee, is speaking at the launch ceremony of the election campaign committee held on the 17th at the election office of Seo Jae-hyun, candidate for Daegu Mayor, in Naedang-dong, Seo-gu, Daegu.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] Park Jihyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 17th regarding Representative Park Wanju, who was expelled due to allegations of sexual misconduct, "The process from expulsion to removal from the National Assembly must proceed swiftly," and added, "I apologize once again."

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' on the same day, Chair Park stated, "We have applied a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual crimes and have implemented sex education and other measures to prevent such sexual misconduct and crimes," expressing, "I am deeply saddened that such an incident has occurred again."

She continued, "Above all, some criticize why this sexual crime case surfaced right before the election, why it is being investigated now, and why the apology is happening now," and asserted, "The Democratic Party must take this opportunity to reform and innovate."

She further explained, "For the protection of the victim, only the party leadership ordered the investigation, underwent the investigation, and received the results. Our decision to expel was based on clear evidence, circumstances, and testimonies," adding, "If these were disclosed for someone's right to know, the secondary harm to the victim would have been too great. This was to prevent such harm," and emphasized, "We consider expulsion necessary."

She also referred to Representative Choi Kangwook, who was referred to the party's Ethics Committee for sexual harassment remarks such as 'jjaljjal-i,' stressing, "Not only this case but also the case of Representative Choi Kangwook currently filed within the party must be handled thoroughly from start to finish."

Earlier, the Democratic Party held a party meeting on the 16th and passed the expulsion motion for Representative Park Wanju. Floor Spokesperson Oh Younghwan explained, "There was no vote. Although there were some objections to certain procedures, since there was no opposition to the final approval, the expulsion itself can be said to have passed unanimously."