Appointment of Figure Involved in "Secondary Victimization" Controversy
"Collapse of Common Sense and Ethics... Mayor Must Issue Public Apology"
The People Power Party’s South Chungcheong Provincial Chapter criticized the city of Asan for appointing Mr. A, who was involved in the so-called “secondary victimization” controversy during the sexual assault case of former South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung, as a policy advisor, calling it “a personnel disaster that insults both the victim and the citizens.”
On the 30th, the provincial chapter issued a statement, saying, “This appointment is a decision that abandons all standards of common sense, ethics, and the minimum requirements of public office,” and defined it as “political violence that inflicts further wounds on the victim of sexual assault.”
The chapter further stated, “Secondary victimization in sexual assault cases is not merely an expression of opinion, but an act that undermines the dignity of the victim,” adding, “The very fact that Mr. A, who was at the center of such controversy, was appointed to a key advisory position to the mayor degrades the dignity of both South Chungcheong Province residents and Asan citizens.”
Targeting the Democratic Party, the chapter continued, “Despite ongoing sexual misconduct controversies involving figures such as An Hee-jung, Oh Keo-don, Park Won-soon, Park Wan-joo, and Jang Kyung-tae, the Democratic Party has never shown responsible reflection or introspection,” arguing, “This appointment is yet another example of the Democratic Party’s repeated practice of protecting its own members.”
In particular, the chapter emphasized, “Politics exists to protect the vulnerable, but this appointment shows that power has once again called back the victim and aggravated their wounds,” urging, “The mayor of Asan must issue an official apology to the victim and citizens, and take political responsibility for the failure in personnel verification.”
Meanwhile, as public criticism spread, Mr. A submitted his resignation to the city of Asan on the 29th.
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