Regarding the Cho Kuk Innovation Party Sexual Misconduct Scandal
"Choi Kangwook Is Putting Our Party in a Difficult Position"
On September 5, Eonju Lee, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, regarding the party's sexual misconduct scandal. She stated, "It is deeply regrettable that he is only concerned with public opinion and continues to engage solely in social media politics."
On her Facebook page that day, Supreme Council Member Lee remarked, "Kang Mijeong, spokesperson for the National Innovation Party, left the party in tears. The reason is said to be her anger toward the party for its continued sexual harassment and for neglecting to address it. Former leader Cho Kuk reportedly received reports about this while in prison, but after being pardoned and reinstated, he continued to feign ignorance and only belatedly posted a message of regret on social media."
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 September 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Additionally, Supreme Council Member Lee called for party-level action against Kang Wook Choi, head of the Education and Training Institute of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been embroiled in controversy over secondary victimization related to the National Innovation Party's sexual misconduct issue. She emphasized, "Director Choi not only inflicted secondary harm on the victim with his 'pigs and dogs' remark, but also broadly insulted the public who are outraged by this incident. Not only are his comments unacceptable, but I also question why someone from another party is causing trouble and dragging us into an uncomfortable situation. The party must take swift action."
Director Choi, speaking as a lecturer at the "National Innovation Party Daejeon-Sejong Political Academy" held at the Jung-gu Cultural Center in Daejeon on August 31, reportedly addressed those who raised issues about the party's sexual harassment and bullying by saying, "How would you know unless you are directly involved? You're just repeating what you've heard from others," and used the term "pigs and dogs."
Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on September 1, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Previously, Kang Mijeong, spokesperson for the National Innovation Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly the previous day, announcing her departure from the party and claiming that the party had shown a lukewarm response to the sexual misconduct case involving a key party official. Immediately after the press conference, Spokesperson Kang revealed that Director Cho was aware of the situation but had not expressed any clear position, stating, "I believe even silence is a message I must interpret."
In response, Director Cho posted on Facebook after Spokesperson Kang's revelations, explaining, "At the time, as I was stripped of my party membership and was not a party member, I had no role to play while the party's official procedures were underway. I believed that my intervention as a non-member would undermine the party's system and procedures." He added, however, "I regret that I should have acted more quickly."
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