On Allegations of Cho's Silence: "He Was Not a Party Member at the Time"
"If He Had Been Involved, It Would Have Been Criticized as Party Privatization"
The National Innovation Party issued an official apology on the 5th regarding incidents of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment within the party.
Kim Sunmin, Acting Party Leader, along with members of the National Innovation Party, are bowing their heads in apology regarding the sexual misconduct incident within the party during a press briefing on current issues held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On the morning of the same day, Acting Party Leader Kim Sunmin held an emergency press briefing at the party conference room in the main building of the National Assembly, stating, "I would like to offer words of comfort to all victims, including spokesperson Kang Mijeong, and extend my deepest apologies to the public and party members who have been hurt by this incident."
Kim explained, "In accordance with the victim's request, the Innovation Party made efforts to thoroughly investigate this case, focusing on the judgment of an external committee and an investigation by an outside agency." However, she admitted, "There were shortcomings in the handling process. We will objectively review what was neglected."
She added, "We will push for fundamental reforms with strong determination to ensure that such incidents never occur again."
However, regarding the claim from the victim's side that Cho, the head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute, remained silent despite being informed of the incident while in prison, Kim countered, "At the time the case was reported, Director Cho was not a party member and was incarcerated," adding, "I was the one responsible for the investigation and disciplinary procedures at that time."
Kim further stated, "If Director Cho had consulted with me, it could have led to controversy over the party being privatized," and drew a clear line by saying, "It is difficult to accept connecting matters decided according to the party constitution and regulations with Director Cho."
Hwang Hyunsun, Secretary-General and a close associate of Director Cho, also commented, "If Director Cho had been involved in party affairs at the time, it would have constituted a violation of the Political Parties Act and would not have complied with the party's constitution and regulations. If that had happened, the media would have criticized it as party privatization or prison politics." Director Cho lost his party membership along with his parliamentary seat following a final guilty verdict by the Supreme Court in December last year.
Previously, Innovation Party spokesperson Kang Mijeong held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center the previous day, declaring her departure from the party and stating, "The party turned a blind eye to the desperate cries of sexual assault victims."
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