Relatives of Ewha Hakdang and Kim Hwallan sue Democratic Party's Kim Junhyuk... Kim Junhyuk "Strong Response"

Ewha Womans University States "Kim Holds Sexist Views"
Kim Junhyuk "There Is Evidence... Kim Hwallan Exploited Student Grades"

Kim Jun-hyeok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who sparked controversy with his remarks about "sexual bribery involving Ewha Womans University students" during the 4.10 general election campaign, has been consecutively sued by the school and bereaved families. In August 2022, on a YouTube channel, Kim stated, "During the U.S. military government period, (former President Kim Hwal-ran) made Ewha Womans University students provide sexual bribery to U.S. military officers." Although he apologized for his past remarks before being elected, he declared after the recent lawsuits, "I will strongly respond to this issue going forward."

The Ewha Hakdang Foundation (Chairman Jang Myung-soo) announced on the 18th, "We have filed a complaint with the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency against Representative Kim Jun-hyeok for defamation," criticizing, "Kim made false statements that severely damaged the image of former Ewha Womans University President Kim Hwal-ran and the Ewha community, and based on a discriminatory and distorted view against women, which is unacceptable for a member of the National Assembly, he insulted not only Ewha Hakdang but all women." The bereaved family of former President Kim also filed a complaint against Kim for defamation of the deceased, stating, "He damaged the social and historical evaluation of the late who devoted her life to women's education and Ewha Womans University."

The alumni association of Ewha Womans University, called "Ewha Lovers Alumni Association," also announced plans to file a complaint against Kim for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. Former Minister of Education Kim Sook-hee and former Ewha Womans University President Kim Hye-sook are scheduled to submit a complaint to the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters on the 20th. The complaint includes the names of about 1,400 alumni, including Lee Kang-ok, a bereaved family member of former President Kim; former Minister of Environment Yoo Young-sook; former Minister of Gender Equality Kim Geum-rae; Honorary Professors Na Young-gyun and Ho Jae-sook; former Ewha Womans University Alumni Association President Jo Jong-nam; and former Chairperson of the Korean Women’s Associations United Choi Geum-sook.

On April 8th, at the main gate of Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, a group of Ewha alumni called "Ewha People Who Wish for an Ewha Proud Before History" held a press conference condemning Dr. Kim Hwallan's pro-Japanese actions. Opposite them, a banner demanding the withdrawal of then-candidate Kim Junhyuk was displayed. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

In response, Representative Kim refuted the claims of Ewha Hakdang and the bereaved family on Facebook. Citing the by the JoongAng Ilbo Modern History Research Institute, he claimed, "There are records stating that former President Kim and Mo Yun-sook mobilized Ewha Womans University students as ‘official prostitutes’ at the time." He added, "(The complainants) are misleading the public by suggesting that I, a historian, fabricated facts with no basis even after the election ended and my legislative activities began," and announced, "I will disclose evidence that former President Kim sexually exploited her students through a secret social club called the 'Nakrang Club.'"

The materials he disclosed stated, "The Nakrang Club was organized in 1948 or 1949 by women’s organizations in Seoul, Korea, for the purpose of entertaining foreign dignitaries, senior officials of the Republic of Korea government and army, and key civilian representatives of foreign governments," and "The members of this organization were mainly well-educated women who graduated from Ewha Womans University." He further quoted, "Over time, it was observed that the Nakrang Club began to be used as a means to entertain foreign officials residing in Korea for business and political purposes. Moreover, there are claims that some hostesses expanded their duties to cohabiting with guests as official prostitutes as part of the entertainment."

Representative Kim stated, "I will strongly respond to this issue going forward," and "If the pro-Japanese actions of former President Kim and her exploitation of students continue to be glorified, I declare that I will work with fellow lawmakers to conduct a thorough investigation at the National Assembly level."