GNP official accused of rape attempt

A Grand National Party official was accused of attempted rape yesterday after passersby caught him undressing and trying to molest a drunk and unconscious woman lying in the street, police said. The man, Jeong Seong-rae, heads a steering committee of party members at a Grand National provincial chapter in Dangjin, South Chungcheong province.
Mr. Jeong denies the charges. “I was drunk and it was an accident,” Mr. Jeong said. “I don’t remember a thing about what happened.”
The incident occurred in Apgujeong, southern Seoul, at 1:30 a.m. yesterday. The passersby who caught Mr. Jeong said he tried to assault the woman, whom police did not name. She was described as being in her early 20s and was lying between a building and a parked car. Mr. Jeong ran away about 30 meters (100 feet) from the passersby, but was eventually caught after a fistfight, police said.
When questioned by reporters at the Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct, Mr. Jeong first said he is unemployed, but then admitted he is a Grand National Party official. Mr. Jeong has run for the National Assembly seat on the ticket of his party in Dangjin county, South Chungcheong province, but did not win.
The SeoulGangnam precinct will request a detention warrant against Mr. Jeong on a charge of attempted rape.

by Kwon Ho