Presidential Office: "Song Ok-ryul Admits His Mistake... Sexual Harassment Remarks Settled with Apology at the Time"

Song Ok-ryeol, Candidate for Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Song Ok-ryeol, the nominee for the Fair Trade Commission chairman, acknowledged past misconduct and expressed a deep apology on the 4th regarding his sexual harassment remarks made to a student while serving as a professor at Seoul National University School of Law.

The Presidential Office spokesperson's office announced through a press release that Song conveyed this position, adding, "More detailed explanations are expected to be provided once the Fair Trade Commission’s confirmation preparation team is formed."

The Presidential Office explained, "During the verification process, we confirmed the circumstances and specific details related to this matter," and stated, "At the time, the nominee apologized to the attendees, and considering that the issue was settled without any separate disciplinary action from the school, we took this into account."

In 2014, it was reported that Song made sexual harassment remarks to a student while serving as a professor at Seoul National University School of Law (Law School). The issue resurfaced when Song was nominated as the Fair Trade Commission chairman on this day.

According to reports, during a dinner with about 100 first-year students in 2014, Song, while intoxicated, made comments evaluating their appearances such as "You are upper-middle, you are lower-middle, you are upper," and told a female student, "Did you come back from Lee Hyori? We couldn’t toast without you."

Before the Presidential Office’s announcement, a key official at the Yongsan Presidential Office briefing was asked by reporters whether the sexual harassment controversy regarding Song had been verified, to which the official responded, "We will look into it further."

The official described Song as "a person who passed the judicial exam, administrative exam, and diplomatic exam," and "a well-known figure recognized as an outstanding talent."

In response to criticism that Song was appointed because he is President Yoon’s classmate from the Judicial Research and Training Institute (23rd class), the official replied that the appointment was "based on ability."

He added, "The President likely judged that nominating Song was most suitable for the role of easing regulations, supporting businesses, ensuring maximum freedom in the market economy, and preventing the government from becoming an obstacle to the market economy."