'School Violence Allegations' Democratic Party Elected Member: "I Lived Like an Outcast... Seems Like Jealousy"

Kim Dong-a Elected Official's Alumni Claims School Violence
"Beaten to the Point of Losing Sight... There Are More Victims"
Kim Elected Official: "Political Slander... Will Take Legal Action"

On the 2nd, allegations of school violence against Kim Dong-a (Seoul Seodaemun-gap), a Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) elected representative, have caused a stir, but Kim denied the claims, stating, "There is no such fact." On the same day, MBN reported, "A, who claimed to have been a victim of school violence by Kim, stated that they still vividly remember being assaulted by Kim during their school days over trivial reasons, resulting in injuries."

Democratic Party of Korea elected member Kim Dong-a. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A said, "I was hit so hard that I couldn't see ahead. He kept hitting me with his fists," and added, "Friends intervened to stop it at times. After that, I was so scared that I couldn't even go near him (Kim) and lived quietly at school as if I didn't exist," according to MBN. A also said, "There were many kids who bullied others. Sometimes they hit as a joke, and other times severely," and added, "Just thinking about that time makes me not want to go back."

Furthermore, A said, "Because of him, my school days were difficult, and I never want to see him again on TV. I think such a person should not become a member of the National Assembly." A also added that Kim never contacted or apologized before or after running for the National Assembly.

Other classmates reportedly said about Kim, "He bullied weaker kids," "He extorted money for cigarettes from friends," "He suddenly yelled at friends over trivial reasons," and "He laughed while poking short and weak kids with a fork."

Photo of President-elect Kim during his school days. [Image source=MBN news screen capture]

On the other hand, Kim denied the allegations, saying, "There is absolutely no such fact," and told MBN, "From my third year of high school, I was rather ostracized for studying. I heard that friends I used to hang out with started saying strange things because we didn't get along."

He further rebutted, "I think those friends are saying such things out of jealousy and envy."

He also posted on his social media (SNS), "I have never unilaterally bullied or used violence against anyone while attending school," along with a copy of his school record. The 'Behavioral Characteristics and Comprehensive Opinions' section of the record described him as having a "bright personality and good manners" and being "responsible and diligent."

Kim emphasized, "I have heard that malicious rumors about me are circulating in my hometown before and after my election. I also heard that classmates who are politically opposed to me are the source of these rumors," adding, "I believe this is a politically motivated smear campaign orchestrated by a group. If false claims continue, I plan to take legal action."

Kim joined the Democratic Party in 2021 and won the nomination for Seoul Seodaemun-gap through a youth audition in this general election, ultimately being elected.