People Power Party: "Innovation Party Deputy Secretary-General's Claim That 'Sexual Harassment Is Not a Crime' Is Secondary Victimization"

When Lee Gyuwon, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, claimed that sexual harassment is not a crime in relation to a sexual misconduct case within the party, the People Power Party criticized this as secondary victimization.

Park Sunghoon, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, is entering the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On September 6, Park Sunghoon, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, commented on Lee's statement that "sexual harassment is not a crime," saying, "This is a clear case of secondary victimization against the victim, and it reflects an anti-social perception that downplays and distorts the seriousness of sexual crimes."

Lee Gyuwon, a former deputy chief prosecutor at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, appeared on a YouTube broadcast the previous day. In response to the host's remark that there had been verbal sexual harassment within the party, Lee said, "Sexual harassment is not a crime, though it may be a violation of the duty to maintain dignity. Verbal abuse is not a crime either, and a related case is currently under police investigation."

Regarding the suggestion that the perpetrator received a lenient punishment because they are a close associate of Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Institute, and Hwang Hyunseon, the party's secretary-general, Lee replied, "That is difficult to accept. There are fewer than 50 party officials in total, and only about 10 are political appointees, so in reality, everyone is each other's close aide." He added, "Even though a separate investigation is underway for the person identified as the perpetrator, the party expelled them, and the party's procedures have concluded. In the private sector, expulsion is equivalent to the death penalty."

Park Sunghoon criticized this response, stating, "Those who have advocated for reform and equality are repeatedly treating sexual misconduct cases lightly and defending inappropriate words and actions."