People Power Party and Democratic Party Issue Statements on Double Standards Regarding Cheonan City Council Member Accused of Sexual Harassment

No Reflection on Their Own Party's City Council Members, Too Busy Criticizing the Opposition Party

Both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea's South Chungcheong Provincial Party have recently raised their voices in criticism against Cheonan City Council members accused of sexual misconduct, but remained silent regarding their own party's members.

On the 1st, the People Power Party's South Chungcheong Provincial Party issued a statement urging the resignation of Councilor A, a Democratic Party member who was indicted without detention on the 31st of last month for allegedly sexually harassing a fellow female councilor.

The People Power Party pointed out, "Councilor A was referred to the Cheonan City Council's Special Ethics Committee and received a 30-day suspension, but instead of accepting this, filed a lawsuit at the Daejeon District Court to cancel the disciplinary action and requested a stay of execution. As a result, he continues to attend council sessions and participate in official activities." They continued, "He enjoyed all the privileges of serving as the vice-chairman of the Cheonan City Council without offering a sincere apology or reflection to the victim, completing his term in office. Even now, he frequently posts messages on social media claiming his innocence, thereby repeatedly causing secondary harm to the victimized councilor."

On the same day, the Democratic Party's South Chungcheong Provincial Party also issued a statement in the name of its female members, calling for the resignation of Councilor B, a member from the People Power Party.

The Democratic Party stated, "On the 15th of last month, a whistleblowing report was made through the Cheonan City Civil Servants' Union that Councilor B from the People Power Party had continuously engaged in sexual harassment and misconduct toward a female staff member of the council's secretariat for a year." They added, "Although we demanded a prompt convening of the Ethics Committee and disciplinary action, the Cheonan City Council, where the People Power Party holds the majority, has not convened the Ethics Committee for this councilor, and he continues to attend plenary and standing committee meetings, presiding as chair."

They further criticized, "Chairperson Kim Haenggeum and the female councilors, who held a press conference in June criticizing Councilor A for sexual misconduct allegations and sending abusive text messages to a female councilor, are now silent. If this is not about protecting their own, then they should immediately call for Councilor B's resignation."

Although both councilors accused of sexual misconduct have now left their respective parties, there is a notable absence of self-reflection and criticism toward their own former party members. This has led to criticism that these statements are merely acts of protecting their own.

Councilor C of the Cheonan City Council commented, "It is disappointing that, regarding the same issue, there is criticism only toward the opposing party's councilor, with no reflection or reprimand for their own party's member." He added, "Before criticizing others, acknowledging one's own faults and seeking forgiveness is the first step for the scandal-ridden Cheonan City Council to regain the trust of its citizens."

He emphasized, "The latter half of the 9th council has been marred by political strife and conflict from the start. Now is the moment when genuine cooperation is truly needed."