Democratic Party Public Relations Chair "Firm Response to Sexual Harassment Controversy Involving Hyun Geun-taek"

Controversial Remarks Like "Do You Live Together?"
'De Facto Nomination Exclusion' Interpretation
'Sexual Harassment Allegations' Kang Wiwon Withdraws Candidacy

Im Hyuk-baek, chairman of the Public Office Election Candidate Recommendation Management Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Public Committee), which oversees the nomination process for the Democratic Party of Korea's general election candidates, has announced a firm stance to respond decisively to Hyun Geun-taek, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, who has been embroiled in a sexual harassment controversy. It is expected that pro-Lee Jae-myung faction figures, including former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju, who have recently been involved in sexual misconduct issues, will inevitably face disadvantages in nominations and other repercussions.

On the 16th, Chairman Im Hyuk-baek stated in a press release through the Democratic Party, "As the chairman of the Democratic Party's Public Committee, I will respond firmly and strictly to the series of issues concerning Hyun Geun-taek, the prospective candidate for Seongnam Jungwon-gu." This statement by Chairman Im is interpreted within the party as a de facto decision to exclude Deputy Director Hyun from the nomination.

Im Hyuk-baek, Chair of the Nomination Management Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is presiding over the 1st Central Party Public Office Candidate Recommendation Management Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Deputy Director Hyun, considered part of the pro-Lee faction, was preparing to run in Seongnam Jungwon-gu, the constituency of non-pro-Lee faction lawmaker Yoon Young-chan. However, controversy arose when it was revealed that on the 29th of last month, at a year-end party held at a bar in Seongnam, he made sexually harassing remarks such as "Are you a couple?" and "Do you live together?" to a female aide of a local politician. After the incident surfaced, Deputy Director Hyun expressed his intention to apologize to the victim, but criticism intensified as the victim reported secondary harm. In response, party leader Lee Jae-myung ordered the party's Ethics Inspection Team to investigate the matter.

There are other Democratic Party prospective candidates involved in sexual misconduct issues. Kang Wi-won, a special advisor to the party leader and also classified as a pro-Lee faction member, withdrew his application for candidate verification from the Public Office Election Candidate Verification Committee and gave up his candidacy after sexual assault allegations surfaced.

On the other hand, Deputy Director Hyun and former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju have not given up their intention to run in the general election. As criticism against these candidates intensifies, the party leadership's concerns are deepening. Within the party, voices are emerging that "measures are needed before the negative impact spreads to the entire party."