Seoul will investigate sexual harassment claims against late mayor Park Won-soon
- Former secretary accused Park of subjecting her to unwanted sexual advances and physical contact for years, sending her lewd photos and text messages
- Park cannot be charged with criminal offences but lawyer representing the former secretary called for an investigation of whether there was a cover-up
City spokesman Hwang In-sik said the investigation committee would include civic activists and experts but did not specify when it would start or how it would be authorised.
“By forming a joint investigation committee of government officials and civic experts, we will ensure fairness and objectiveness of the investigation,” Hwang said at the news conference at City Hall. “We will discuss with women’s rights organisations and other groups to determine how the committee will be formed and operated and when it could start.”
Seoul mayor’s case shows South Korea has a deep sexism problem
Hwang criticised “speculative” media reports but gave no specific details about the city’s response to the allegations or Park’s death, including whether city officials had ignored earlier complaints.
“We are going to leave no stone unturned in this case,” he said.
Although Park cannot be charged with criminal offences, Kim called for an investigation of the allegations and whether Park’s staff covered them up.
In a statement released on Monday, the former secretary said she had felt “defenceless and weak before the immense power” of Park’s position, often described as the country’s most influential office after the presidency. She said that before Park’s death, she had wanted him to be brought to a court of law and for him to apologise to her “as a fellow human”.
Rescue workers found Park’s body in a wooded area in northern Seoul early on Friday, following a massive search that involved hundreds of officers, dogs and drones after his daughter reported him missing. In a note left in his office, Park did not address the allegations but wrote: “I feel sorry to everyone.”
The allegations have tarnished the reputation of Park, a liberal who built his career as a reform-minded politician and a champion of women’s rights. He was considered a potential presidential candidate for the elections in 2022.
The conservative opposition United Future Party has called for a parliamentary hearing, accusing Park’s staff of a cover-up and the police of leaking the details of the complaint, which could constitute obstruction of justice.
Additional reporting by Associated Press