"‘Hitting the Butt Was Excessive’... Calls for Resignation of City Councilor Accused of Harassing Female Employee Expand"

Recently, allegations have surfaced that a male council member of Yangsan City Council in Gyeongnam repeatedly sexually harassed a female employee, prompting the Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters of the National Public Officials Labor Union to condemn the council member.

On the 17th, the Yangsan City branch of the union's Gyeongnam headquarters held a press conference in front of Yangsan City Council, demanding ▲ Councilman A's apology and resignation ▲ expulsion of the council member ▲ establishment of measures to prevent recurrence ▲ thorough investigation by investigative agencies.

The Yangsan City Branch of the National Public Officials Union Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters is recently urging the resignation of a Yangsan City council member who has been embroiled in allegations of sexual harassment against a female employee.
[Photo by National Public Officials Union Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters]

The union stated, “According to the victimized woman, Councilman A habitually harassed the female employee for over a year from 2022 until recently and also sent text messages late at night,” adding, “This is a clear crime using power and position, and an act that betrays moral and ethical responsibilities as a public official.”

“The honor of Yangsan city public officials and the trust in administration, which have been damaged as a result, have become solely our burden and have even caused harm to the citizens of Yangsan,” they added.

The union expressed, “We feel indescribable anger and disappointment,” and insisted, “Based on the behavior revealed so far, Councilman A must resign from the city council.”

They continued, “We extend our deepest condolences to the victimized employee who had to endure days of silent suffering,” and stated, “We will never take this incident lightly for the sake of the victim, citizens, and Yangsan city public officials.”

“We will strictly punish and hold those responsible accountable, doing our best to ensure that such incidents never happen again,” they said.

Messenger conversation between the female employee who suffered damage and Assemblyman A.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the messenger chat revealed by Ms. B, the woman told Councilman A, “Please refrain from excessive physical contact like kissing,” and “Hitting my butt was probably going too far.”

In response, Councilman A called Ms. B “pretty” and replied with statements such as, “It was a gesture of gratitude for your help,” and “I sincerely apologize for playing rough.”

The victim, Ms. B, worked at the city council until recently but has since transferred to another workplace and is known to have reported Councilman A to the police on charges including habitual sexual harassment.

The Yangsan Police Station, having received the complaint from Ms. B, is currently conducting an investigation, including a preliminary inquiry with the complainant.