Women's Group Urges,
"Apologize to the Victim and Resign Immediately"
"I would like to express my apologies to the residents."
Oh Taewan, the governor of Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province, who was sentenced to removal from office in the first trial for falsely accusing a woman who was a victim of forcible molestation, made this statement immediately after the verdict.
Regarding whether he would appeal, he answered, "I will review it in consultation with my lawyers."
O Taewan, the governor of Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam, arrived at Changwon District Court Masan Branch to receive the first trial verdict related to the false accusation charge by the victim of forced molestation. Photo by Lee Seryeong
The Criminal Division 3 Single Judge of the Changwon District Court Masan Branch (Presiding Judge Kim Namil) on the 15th sentenced Governor Oh to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of false accusation.
The court stated, "The defendant claimed that the victim's accusation was a political scheme, raised conspiracy theories, and took a stance that directly denied the statements of the accuser," adding, "This can be evaluated as secondary harm against the victim, the nature of the crime is not light, and the defendant has not been forgiven by the victim."
The court continued, "However, considering that the degree of forcible molestation that triggered this case cannot be seen as severe, that there was no actual risk of criminal punishment for the accused, and that the defendant belatedly admitted to and reflected on his crime, these factors were taken into account."
Governor Oh was indicted on charges of forcibly molesting a female reporter by grabbing her hand and making sexually harassing remarks while dining with county office reporters at a restaurant in Uiryeong County on June 17, 2021.
He consistently claimed innocence, but the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of a 10 million won fine and an order to complete 10 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
That same year, after being accused by the victimized female reporter, Governor Oh claimed it was a "malicious slander with political intent" and filed a counter-complaint against the reporter for false accusation and defamation.
In response, the prosecution indicted Governor Oh on additional charges of false accusation, stating that he was causing secondary harm to the victim.
The Gyeongnam Women's Welfare Counseling Center and Facility Council are urging Oh Taewan, the governor of Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam, to apologize to the victim of sexual assault and to resign from his position as governor. Photo by Lee Seryung
The Gyeongnam Women's Welfare Counseling Center and Facility Association, which attended the first trial verdict, held a press conference immediately after the sentencing and said, "Governor Oh has not offered a single word of apology to the victim of the forcible molestation for the past three years and ten months," urging, "Governor Oh should sincerely apologize to the victim and immediately resign from his post."
They continued, "False accusation crimes and perjury crimes against victims are clearly secondary harm and must be strongly punished," emphasizing, "The culture of condoning and abetting power-based sex crimes and secondary and tertiary harm must be eradicated."
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