A suspicious court decision

The proxy group for a former secretary of late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon held its second press conference to expand on the charges of sexual harassment. During the press conference it accused staffers of the city administration of an “organized crime” to cover up for their boss’ misconduct.

Representatives of the victim came up with a detailed explanation on the Seoul city officials’ complicity. Kim Jae-ryon, the victim’s lawyer, said her client had confided about her suffering with nearly 20 former and sitting officials in the city administration. But all of them shrugged off her agony, mostly advocating for their boss or voicing condescending remarks that she should be flattered for being regarded as “pretty.”

The victim was even assured that her career in public office would be smoother if she follow their advice. Their comments and advice could amount to collusion to a sexual crime. The officials were in higher ranks than the victim. These people included someone in the HR office who reported to the mayor. If Seoul City carries out an internal probe, the results could be questionable even if it includes outside experts.

The Metropolitan Government announced it would not pursue an internal probe. It should wait for results from the National Human Rights Commission as the victim plans to file a complaint.

The findings should not end with a remedial order. Punishment is inevitable, and investigators must secure evidence. Some are suspecting that the court is hampering the investigation, so it’s necessary that the court specify its reasoning for rejecting the search warrant.

The victim claimed she had taken the matter to the prosecution first before filing the complaint with the police. She asked for an interview after she mentioned the case was against the mayor. But the interview was canceled. Since the investigation is on how the criminal case was leaked to the mayor, it must also find out why the prosecution turned the victim away.