Jang Je-won's Side: "Text Messages Taken Out of Context Cannot Serve as Evidence of Sexual Violence... Anger and Astonishment"

Former Lawmaker Jang Under Investigation for Sexual Violence Allegations
JTBC Discloses Some Text Messages Between Jang and the Accuser
Attorney: "We Will Explain the Context During the Investigation"

The legal team of former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, who is under police investigation for allegations of sexual violence, voiced criticism on the 5th regarding the text messages disclosed by JTBC. Choi Won-hyuk, a lawyer from the law firm Daeryuk Aju representing Jang, issued a statement saying, "Today, JTBC revealed text messages that former lawmaker Jang allegedly sent to the accuser," and added, "We feel strong anger and even absurdity that text messages, cut off from their full context, were presented as evidence of sexual violence allegations."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Lawyer Choi argued, "The text messages, completely excluding the surrounding circumstances, were presented as if they were evidence of former lawmaker Jang's sexual violence allegations," and stated, "None of the text messages can serve as evidence to prove the sexual violence allegations." He also said, "We will be able to fully explain the contents of these text messages during the upcoming police investigation," and "We plan to present evidence to the investigative authorities that will prove the sexual violence claims are not true."

He continued, "We will actively cooperate with the police investigation and reveal the truth," and added, "We strongly regret JTBC's consecutive reports of false news based on the accuser's one-sided claims and plan to respond strongly through legal measures."

Former lawmaker Jang was sued in November 2015 on charges of committing sexual violence against his former secretary A at a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently received the complaint from A and is investigating, while Jang denies all allegations. According to JTBC's report on the day, Jang reportedly sent messages to A such as, "What will happen to my heart if you leave like that?"

Earlier, former lawmaker Jang directly stated, "I do not understand what on earth is going on with me, who has quietly been living a reclusive life after giving up everything." He claimed, "The time the accuser alleges to have suffered sexual violence from me was 9 years and 4 months ago," and added, "I strongly suspect that there is some special conspiracy or background behind this sudden accusation, which is being raised nearly 10 years later."

He further hinted at leaving the party, saying, "I will temporarily leave the party as I cannot burden it with an unpleasant issue during this grave national situation." He also said, "It seems that a lonely and difficult time has begun from now on," and "My heart breaks when I think of those who had high expectations for me. I will overcome this well."