"Thought It Was an April Fools' News"... Ha Tae-kyung Mourns 'Jjakji' Jang Je-won

Ha Taekyung: "Someone Must Pay Tribute"
People Power Party Leadership Remains Silent

Some figures within the ruling party expressed condolences over the death of former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, who was under investigation for sexual assault allegations. First, Ha Tae-kyung, a former three-term lawmaker of the People Power Party, posted on his social media on the 1st, saying, "I was shocked when I woke up this morning," and "I pray for the repose of the deceased, who was my seatmate in the main assembly hall." Sharing a photo of himself conversing with Jang Je-won in the National Assembly in the past, he added, "I hoped it was an April Fool's fake news, but it was not," and "Someone has reached the conclusion that a proper evaluation and tribute to 'politician Jang Je-won' should be made."

Some figures within the ruling party expressed condolences over the death of former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, who was under investigation for sexual assault allegations. First, Ha Tae-kyung, a former three-term lawmaker of the People Power Party, posted on his social media on the 1st, saying, "I was shocked when I woke up this morning," and "I pray for the repose of the deceased, who was my seatmate next to me in the plenary hall." Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

Ha said, "The deceased and I were politicians from Busan who shared hardships and joys for over ten years," and "Since we were in the same academic year and age group, we sat next to each other like seatmates in the main assembly hall." He continued, "The Jang Je-won I experienced and remember was a talented and loyal politician," and "Although he left amid great controversy, I thought there should be at least one person reminiscing about political memories with him, so I am posting a condolence message saying, 'To my fellow politician Jang Je-won, my seatmate, I pray for your repose.'"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sung-tae also said on BBS Radio that day, "I feel truly sorrowful and devastated," and "It seems that due to a sensational report by a certain media outlet last night, he made a decisive mental resolution to end his life." He added, "Regarding the series of sexual assault incidents, it might have been an unbearable pain for him," and "If he had lived, he would have had a significant role to play in the conservative political sphere."

Lee Soo-jung, a professor of criminal psychology at Kyonggi University who ran as a People Power Party candidate in the last general election, also wrote on SNS, "Is this the only way to resolve this? I am truly saddened. I pray for the repose of the deceased," and urged, "Please ensure the safety of the victims." Although the People Power Party leadership did not issue an official statement, floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said to reporters after a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly that day, "I am heartbroken over the tragic death of (former lawmaker Jang)," and "We need to consider the parliamentary schedule, but I plan to pay my respects if possible."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Jang was found dead around 11:45 p.m. on the 31st of last month in an officetel in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The police, noting that a suicide note was found at the scene, believe there is no suspicion of a crime. Jang was booked and investigated by the police on charges of quasi-rape and injury involving sexual violence against a secretary during his tenure as vice president of a university in Busan in 2015.