"Did you sleep together, are you a couple?"... Democratic Party investigates sexual harassment controversy involving Hyun Geun-taek and female secretary

'Pro-Myung' Hyun Geun-taek Controversy Over Sexual Harassment Remarks
Opposition Raises 'Awareness of Seriousness' Issue at Party Meeting
Hong Ik-pyo Plans to Request Investigation from Party Secretariat

The Democratic Party of Korea plans to investigate Hyun Geun-taek, the deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, who sparked controversy with his sexually harassing remarks. Hyun Geun-taek, considered part of the 'pro-Moon' faction, is preparing to run for the Jungwon District in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, which is the constituency of lawmaker Yoon Young-chan, classified as part of the non-pro-Moon faction.

On the afternoon of the 9th, Im Oh-kyung, the party's floor spokesperson, met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "At the members' meeting (before the plenary session), there was a suggestion that the seriousness of the issue regarding lawyer Hyun Geun-taek should be recognized and action taken," adding, "We decided to request an investigation from the party secretariat." She further explained, "During the free speech session, one lawmaker said that action might be necessary, and then Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo immediately instructed the party secretariat to handle it and requested an investigation."

Hyun Geun-taek, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute [Image source=Yonhap News]

Hyun, last December, reportedly made a controversial remark at a year-end party held at a bar in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, addressing a female aide, Ms. A, to a local politician, saying, "Are you two a married couple?" When Ms. A asked back, "Who is married to whom?" he referred to the local politician and Ms. A, saying, "You even caught a cold together." It is reported that Hyun continued making such remarks despite Ms. A's requests to stop.

In a media interview, Ms. A expressed, "When he asked if we lived together, it felt like being hit on the back of the head," and added, "How well does he know me to say things like 'Are you two married?' or 'Did you sleep together?'... I stayed up all night that night." After this incident, Ms. A reportedly quit her job.

In a statement posted on his Facebook on the same day, Hyun said, "I was contacted that it would be better to apologize to the aide Ms. A," and added, "I said I did not remember because I was drinking, but the local politician she was assisting said, 'It would be better not to use such expressions,' so I followed that advice." It is said that Hyun called Ms. A more than ten times the day after the incident and sent text messages expressing apologies.

He stated, "If given the opportunity, I would like to meet her in person and sincerely apologize," and added, "I will be careful with my words and actions to prevent such incidents from happening again."