Democratic Party Male Lawmaker Leaves Party Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
Democratic Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter "Plans to Take Disciplinary Action"
A male member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) from Bucheon City Council in Gyeonggi Province is suspected of sexually harassing female members of the People Power Party (PPP) during a joint training dinner, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the scene has been released.
A male lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea is wrapping his arm around a female lawmaker from the People Power Party at the joint legislative training dinner. [Photo by a CCTV provided by a People Power Party lawmaker B]
On the 23rd, PPP members B and C, who filed a complaint against DPK member A for forcible molestation and assault, submitted approximately 9 minutes and 58 seconds of CCTV footage to the police.
The footage was recorded during the afternoon dinner on the 10th in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, as part of a joint legislative training held from the 9th to the 11th, attended by 25 city council members and 21 council staff.
According to the footage, DPK member A was seen attempting physical contact by pushing and rubbing against a female staff member's back.
Later, member A was also captured moving to another seat and wrapping his arm around member B's neck.
Member B stated, "Since it was during training, I tried not to drink excessively and put my glass down, but member A wrapped his arm around my neck as if questioning why I wasn't drinking, causing all the alcohol to spill on my clothes."
Member B also added, "Despite clearly expressing my refusal, he attempted forcible molestation, so I abruptly left the place."
Member A is also suspected of making sexually harassing remarks after throwing a pancake near the chest area of PPP member C during the dinner on the evening of the 9th, saying, "Should I remove it for you?"
Member A claimed that member B had said, "Bring something tasty," so he threw the pancake, but it accidentally hit the chest area.
Regarding the physical contact, he stated, "I was intoxicated and do not remember the situation at all."
Meanwhile, member A has submitted a resignation letter and has withdrawn from the Democratic Party’s Gyeonggi Province branch.
A representative of the Democratic Party’s Gyeonggi Province branch said, "The resignation has been approved, but the party plans to proceed with disciplinary measures independently."
The Democratic Party has launched an ethics investigation into member A.
The Democratic Party’s Public Relations Office announced in a morning notice that "Representative Lee Jae-myung has ordered an ethics investigation regarding the Bucheon City Council member case."
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