District Councilor Who Swore at Sexual Violence Prevention Instructor... Fined in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] A former district council member was fined 2 million won for using derogatory language against a female sexual violence prevention instructor during a lecture.

The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Jeong Cheolmin) sentenced former Seodaemun District Council member Choi Wonseok on the 12th on charges including obstruction of business. The court stated, "The defendant is a district council member who is expected to uphold high moral standards, yet he insulted the instructor, who was the victim, and interrupted the lecture, which reflects poorly on the nature of the crime," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Earlier, Choi was prosecuted for causing a disturbance and verbally abusing lawyer Lee Eunui for about 10 minutes during a 'Four Major Violence Prevention Lecture' held at the Seodaemun District Council plenary session on September 19, 2019, when he was a council member.

At that time, lawyer Lee mentioned a workplace sexual harassment case she experienced while working at Samsung during the lecture. In response, Choi reportedly demanded the lecture be stopped, saying, "Do not mention Samsung," and verbally abused lawyer Lee.

During the trial, Choi's side argued that he did not insult the victim without reason and did not obstruct the lecture through intimidation. However, the court rejected this claim based on witness testimonies consistent with the victim's statements and the fact that a special ethics committee meeting of the Seodaemun District Council had been held.