[Exclusive] Acting Jongno District Mayor Accused of Sexual Harassment of Secretary Transfers to Seoul City Hall... Controversy Over 'Self' Transfer

Acting Chief Kang: "Decision Made to Reduce Burden on New Electee"
On Question Whether Transfer Was Voluntary
"Both Parties' Consent Is Necessary"
Victim's Side: "It Was a Trick"

Jongno-gu Office Building Exterior

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The acting mayor of Jongno District, who is accused of sexually harassing a secretary during his tenure as deputy mayor, has transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. With Jeong Munheon, the elected mayor of Jongno District, announcing plans to suspend the acting mayor after taking office, controversy is expected over whether this transfer was a 'self-initiated' move.

According to a compilation of reports on the 30th, Kang Pilyeong, the acting mayor of Jongno District, has changed his affiliation from Jongno District Office to Seoul City Hall. In a phone interview with this outlet, Kang stated, "As someone who served as deputy mayor and acting mayor, I did not want to burden the new mayor, so I decided to move."

When asked if he chose to transfer voluntarily ahead of the mayor-elect's inauguration on the 1st of next month, Kang responded, "Seoul City and Jongno District are different legal entities," adding, "I signed a transfer consent form, and since Seoul City agreed to accept it, I was able to transfer to Seoul City."

In response, the victim's side said, "We believe Kang arranged his transfer to Seoul City himself out of concern that he would be suspended from his position tomorrow," and added, "This is a complete 'trick'."

A Jongno District Office official said, "This matter requires verification," while a Seoul City Hall official stated, "Personnel plans have not yet been announced."

Kang, the acting mayor, is accused of sexually harassing victim A, who was his secretary during his tenure as deputy mayor from July 2020 to October last year, a period of one year and four months. A filed a complaint with the police and stated that she recorded the details of the abuse in a diary.

A claimed that Kang suggested, "Let's go for a walk alone," and when she refused, he pressured her under the pretext of greetings, causing her psychological trauma.

On the 23rd, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit sent Kang to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office with partial charges of forcible sexual assault causing injury.