Police Conduct Closed-Door Investigation of Democratic Party Lawmaker Jang Kyungtae over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Jang Discloses Police Investigation on SNS

The police have conducted a closed-door summons and investigation of Jang Kyungtae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.

According to the police and other sources on January 11, the Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Jang the previous afternoon for questioning as a suspect on charges including quasi-forcible molestation. This came 44 days after the complaint was filed on November 27 last year. Late at night on the previous day, Jang himself disclosed on his social networking service (SNS) account that he had been questioned by the police.

The police reportedly questioned Jang about the circumstances under which he attended a drinking party with National Assembly aides at a restaurant in Yeouido in October 2023, and whether he sexually harassed a woman, identified as Ms. A, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time.

The police also investigated allegations that Jang committed "secondary harm" by exposing Ms. A's identity after the incident surfaced, which would constitute a violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

The police presented Ms. A's testimony and video footage of the incident reportedly filmed by Ms. A's then-partner, but Jang is said to have completely denied all charges. The police are also considering summoning Jang for additional questioning.

On SNS the previous day, Jang stated, "The video submitted by the complainant is only three seconds long, and they could not even submit the other footage reported by the media. I have already requested the court to preserve the original video as evidence, and if they are confident, I hope they will release the original video that was reported."

Jang has filed a counter-complaint against Ms. A for false accusation, and against Ms. A's then-partner for false accusation, assault, and violation of the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.

Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae is seen leaving after visiting the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Civil Complaints Office on December 2 last year to file a counter-complaint against the accuser who accused him of sexual harassment, on charges of false accusation and assault. Photo by Yonhap News Agency