The former secretary who filed a sexual assault complaint against former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won has canceled a press conference following Jang's death.
On the 1st, Onsesang Law Firm, the legal representative of A, who was Jang's former secretary, announced the cancellation of the "Press Conference by the Victim Side Regarding the Jang Je-won Sexual Assault Case," which was scheduled for 10 a.m. that day. This is interpreted as a consequence of Jang being found dead the previous day.
They had previously stated in a press release that they submitted photos and videos related to the sexual assault to investigative authorities. A representative from Onsesang Law Firm said, "We cannot provide any separate statements or information about future schedules."
According to the police, former lawmaker Jang was found dead around 11:40 p.m. the previous day in an officetel in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. A suicide note was found at the scene, and no criminal suspicion has been identified.
Jang, a three-term National Assembly member, was accused in November 2015 of sexual assault (quasi-rape causing injury) against his secretary A while serving as the vice president of a university in Busan.
Jang's side has consistently denied the sexual assault allegations made by A, and it is known that he fully denied the charges during a police summons on the 28th of last month. However, in early last month, Jang left the party, stating, "I will temporarily leave the party to avoid causing burden due to an unfortunate issue during these serious times."
In response, A's side released a video through a media outlet, presumed to have been filmed in a hotel room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at the time of the incident. The video shows Jang calling A by name and asking to fetch water, attempting molestation, and the victim responding with a sobbing voice.
Additionally, A's side planned to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on the 1st to explain the circumstances of the complaint. Kim Jae-ryeon, a lawyer from Onsesang Law Firm representing A, stated in a press release, "We have submitted evidence such as videos to the police." The evidence also included details that A, who was intoxicated, collected evidence at the Sunflower Center immediately after recognizing the sexual assault and requested an analysis from the National Forensic Service. The analysis reportedly detected male genetic material on A's body and underwear.
Jang, who served as a member of the 18th, 20th, and 21st National Assembly and was considered a key figure in the pro-Yoon faction, including serving as chief of staff during President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's transition period, did not run in the 22nd general election. Jang's funeral is scheduled to be held in his hometown of Busan.
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