Controversy Over Sexual Harassment Remarks by Gyeonggi Provincial Council Chairperson

Claims have emerged that Yang Woo-sik, the operating committee chairperson of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council belonging to the People Power Party, made sexual harassment remarks towards a staff member, leading to growing controversy.

The Democratic Party of Korea in the provincial council has strongly urged for the resignation of the chairperson, stating it is "a shame and an insult to the council," and the People Power Party has also announced an investigation.

According to reports from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and other sources on the 12th, a post titled "[Improvement] Sexual Harassment" was uploaded on the anonymous community 'Waggle Waggle' dedicated to Gyeonggi employees.

A person identified as A, who works as a public servant in a committee chaired by a proportional representative, stated, "On the 9th, around 6 PM when I was about to leave work, the committee chairperson asked if I had plans for dinner. I mentioned I was going to see a friend in Itaewon that night." A further claimed that the chairperson then asked, "Are you going with a guy or a girl?"

A continued, "When I replied that there were both guys and girls, the chairperson said, 'Are you going to do some messing around? Since you’re not married, it can't be that you’re just going to hang out,'" implying inappropriate assumptions. It has been indicated that the discussion took place in the presence of other team members and public servants from the committee.

The post sparked significant backlash, with comments such as "clear sexual harassment," "I've never heard such sexual harassment in my over 10 years of public service," and "This is more than just an improvement; it's a matter for reporting."

As the controversy escalated, the Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement criticizing, "The comments made by a proportional representative chairperson of the People Power Party towards a staff member are beyond what can be put into words. These inappropriate and unacceptable sexual harassment remarks came from someone who should represent the citizens of Gyeonggi Province and possess the highest moral standards and sensitivity to gender issues."

They added, "This chairperson no longer has the qualifications to represent the citizens or to maintain their position as a council member. We demand that they sincerely apologize to the affected staff member and resign from their position immediately."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that among the 13 committees in the provincial council, there is only one committee chaired by a proportional representative, identifying Yang Woo-sik, the chairperson of the operating committee of the People Power Party.

In response to the increasing criticism, the People Power Party stated through an announcement from the joint election countermeasure committee, "Acting Chairman Kwon Seong-dong has instructed the Party Affairs Inspection Committee to carry out a thorough investigation regarding Yang Woo-sik's shocking sexual harassment remarks." They emphasized, "Severe disciplinary procedures will follow based on the results of the investigation."

Image sources: Gyeonggi Provincial Council website, illustrative materials for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, Kwon Seong-dong, leader of the People Power Party's floor / News1