Direct Criticism of Appointment of Secondary Perpetrator as Policy Advisor
"Politics That Preaches Reflection Tramples Victims' Lives Again"
Oh Sehyun, Mayor of Asan
Kim Ji-eun, the victim in the sexual assault case involving former South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung, criticized Oh Sehyun, Mayor of Asan, for appointing a secondary perpetrator of sexual violence as a policy advisor, stating, "Politics has once again chosen the perpetrator."
She also demanded the immediate dismissal from the position, saying, "The political community's insensitivity and repeated secondary victimization endlessly retraumatize the victim's life."
On December 26, Kim stated on her social media, "According to The Asia Business Daily, Oh Sehyun, Mayor of Asan, appointed a secondary perpetrator in the An Hee-jung sexual assault case as a policy advisor," and added, "I have confirmed through the Asan City Hall website that this individual was indeed appointed as an advisor."
Previously, The Asia Business Daily exclusively reported that Mayor Oh had appointed an individual, who was convicted of defamation and insult against a sexual assault victim, as a policy advisor, sparking controversy.
Kim pointed out, "This individual was found guilty in both criminal and civil court for secondary victimization of a sexual assault survivor," and added, "In 2018, the case was brought to trial following a citizen complaint, and in 2021, the court sentenced a heavier punishment than what prosecutors requested, stating it was an organizational issue, not just a personal one. Following the court's recommendation, a public apology was also issued."
However, she criticized, "Even after that, this person has repeatedly been appointed to key political positions, such as a National Assembly aide, a local government policy team leader, and in election campaigns for the Democratic Party. The recent appointment as policy advisor by the Mayor of Asan is not a coincidence but a structural choice by the political community."
She especially pointed out, "The fact that a secondary perpetrator has continued to work alongside Democratic Party officials demonstrates that the political community still treats power-based sexual violence as merely individual misconduct. The language of politics that claims to reflect and the reality of personnel decisions are in direct contradiction."
She continued, "For the past eight years, I have lived without being able to recover my daily life while fighting sexual violence. Despite winning every legal judgment, the political community's insensitivity and repeated secondary victimization continue to drag victims' lives back into the spotlight and destroy them again."
Kim officially called on the Democratic Party and Oh Sehyun, Mayor of Asan, to immediately stop shielding sex crimes and to remove the secondary perpetrator of sexual violence from the policy advisor position.
She added, "Sexual violence is not a personal issue but a crime created by power and patriarchal structures. I will no longer remain silent about politics built on the sacrifices of women. I will speak out to the end."
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