Former Mayor of Seoul South KoreaThe U.S.’s second-largest city was jailed Tuesday for three years for sexually assaulting two female employees, the latest such high-profile conviction in a still-patriarchal society.
Oh Keo-don stepped down as mayor of the southern port of Busan – a city of 3.5 million that hosts AsiaBiggest Film Festival of India – Last year after allegations he behaved inappropriately towards subordinates.
three months later, sol Mayor park won-soon He was found dead of an apparent suicide after a female employee accused him of sexual harassment.
Both male presidents. belong to moon jae-inof Democratic Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in April’s by-elections for its posts, giving the conservative opposition new momentum ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Oh, 72, insisted that any contact was accidental, but told reporters before entering court: “All the blame is in me.”
Busan District Court Judge Ryu Seung-woo said the accused had abused “his senior position” to commit sexual harassment at the workplace.
“Those who should not have suffered are still suffering,” he said. Yonhap News Agency. “I urge you to be more sympathetic” with the victims.
South Korean society remains socially conservative despite its rapid rise into an industrial superpower, and sexual assault victims often face pressure to remain silent for fear of public shame.
But signs of change emerged after the country’s own #MeToo movement, sparked in 2018 by prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun, who publicly accused a senior man of groping her at a funeral, led many others to share their stories. inspired to share.
Ahn Hee-jung, an assistant to the provincial governor – also from the Democratic Party and a former presidential contender – accused her of raping her repeatedly.
He resigned and was later convicted of sexual intercourse due to abuse of authority, and is serving a three-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Oh Keo-don stepped down as mayor of the southern port of Busan – a city of 3.5 million that hosts AsiaBiggest Film Festival of India – Last year after allegations he behaved inappropriately towards subordinates.
three months later, sol Mayor park won-soon He was found dead of an apparent suicide after a female employee accused him of sexual harassment.
Both male presidents. belong to moon jae-inof Democratic Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in April’s by-elections for its posts, giving the conservative opposition new momentum ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Oh, 72, insisted that any contact was accidental, but told reporters before entering court: “All the blame is in me.”
Busan District Court Judge Ryu Seung-woo said the accused had abused “his senior position” to commit sexual harassment at the workplace.
“Those who should not have suffered are still suffering,” he said. Yonhap News Agency. “I urge you to be more sympathetic” with the victims.
South Korean society remains socially conservative despite its rapid rise into an industrial superpower, and sexual assault victims often face pressure to remain silent for fear of public shame.
But signs of change emerged after the country’s own #MeToo movement, sparked in 2018 by prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun, who publicly accused a senior man of groping her at a funeral, led many others to share their stories. inspired to share.
Ahn Hee-jung, an assistant to the provincial governor – also from the Democratic Party and a former presidential contender – accused her of raping her repeatedly.
He resigned and was later convicted of sexual intercourse due to abuse of authority, and is serving a three-and-a-half year prison sentence.
.