(2nd LD) DP expels three-term lawmaker over sexual misconduct
(ATTN: UPDATES with party official's comments in para 6-9; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, May 12 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday expelled Rep. Park Wan-joo over a sexual misconduct case, the party's spokesperson said.
The three-term lawmaker who previously served as the DP's top policymaker was reportedly questioned by the DP's ethics inspection team over allegations that he harassed a female assistant last year.
The DP's emergency committee decided to kick out Park and plans to refer him to the National Assembly's ethics reporting center for an additional penalty, according to DP spokesperson Shin Hyun-young.
This file photo taken on Feb. 10, 2022, shows Rep. Park Wan-joo of the Democratic Party at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
"We are very sorry that a sexual misconduct case happened inside the party," Shin said. "We will not reveal details of the case to prevent secondary victimization."
The DP said a police probe on Park has yet to be conducted.
The DP leadership issued a public apology later in the day, vowing to strictly handle the matter based on the zero tolerance principle.
"On behalf of the DP, I apologize to the victim, the victim's family and the general public," Park Ji-hyun, a co-head of the DP's interim leadership committee, said.
"The DP will deal with gender violence more sternly going forward and promises that we will uncover the truth in other ongoing cases and will bring the toughest disciplinary measures without exceptions," Park said.
Rep. Yun Ho-jung, DP floor leader and committee co-head, also apologized and vowed to take stringent steps against those responsible.
Park Ji-hyun (R) and Yun Ho-jung, co-chairs of the main opposition Democratic Party, apologize for alleged sexual misconduct by Rep. Park Wan-joo at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 12, 2022. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
The DP is worried that Park's case would undermine its efforts in the June 1 local elections and parliamentary by-elections.
Park is the latest DP heavyweight disgraced in a sexual misconduct case over the past four years.
An Hee-jung, once deemed a powerful presidential candidate of the DP, is currently in jail for raping one of his former female secretaries. He resigned as governor of South Chungcheong in 2018 in the face of sexual abuse allegations.
In 2020, Oh Keo-don and Park Won-soon -- former Busan and Seoul mayors --- were also accused of sexually harassing female subordinates in April and July, respectively.
kdon@yna.co.kr
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