"Yangyang County Mayor Pulled Down Pants in Front of Female Civil Complaints, Resign and Undergo Investigation"

Democratic Party of Korea Gangwon Province Party Statement

Yangyang County Governor Kim Jin-ha captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV).
[Photo by KBS News Screen Capture]

The Gangwon Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea has called for an investigation into Kim Jin-ha, the mayor of Yangyang County, who is suspected of pulling down his pants in front of a female complainant.

On the 29th, the Gangwon Provincial Party issued a statement saying, "Last December, there were media reports that Mayor Kim Jin-ha of Yangyang County committed sexual crimes against a complainant in his vehicle and repeatedly sexually harassed her," adding, "If the reports are true, it is a shocking criminal act." They continued, "CCTV footage from a cafe operated by the female complainant shows Mayor Kim pulling down his pants inside the cafe and adjusting his waistband as he gets out of the back seat of his vehicle," and criticized, "Nevertheless, Mayor Kim gave a pitiful and shameless explanation, saying, 'It is true that I took off my lower garments directly, but it was at the woman's request,' and 'I do not remember why I was in the back seat of the car with her.'"

The provincial party pointed out that "the controversy is growing as Mayor Kim, who is embroiled in irrational and inappropriate sexual crime allegations, is also suspected of receiving cash, a massage chair, and other valuables from the complainant under the pretext of resolving the complaint," addressing the 'allegations of bribery.' They added, "Although the cafe CCTV shows the complainant handing an envelope of money to Mayor Kim, he denies this and only offers the lame excuse that the massage chair was too heavy to return and is currently kept at his home. Mayor Kim must immediately resign from his position, sincerely apologize to the residents of Yangyang County, and cooperate faithfully with the investigation authorities."

In response to the controversy, Mayor Kim admitted to pulling down his pants but denied any inappropriate behavior, stating that all allegations are 'groundless.' In this regard, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency is conducting a pre-indictment investigation into Mayor Kim. The police plan to investigate the exact facts, including whether there was coercive physical contact and bribery.