The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, May 25, 2022 | 15:58
Law & Crime
'False sex crime accusation killed my husband'
Posted : 2018-03-25 15:21
Updated : 2018-03-26 13:40
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Are all allegations of sexual harassment true? / Yonhap
Are all allegations of sexual harassment true? / Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

The widow of a public middle school teacher, who committed suicide last year amid a sexual harassment investigation, claims a student's lie killed her innocent husband.

Kang Ha-jung, who lost her husband Song Kyung-jin on Aug. 5, posted a plea on the presidential office website on Mar. 15. She urged the government to uncover the truth about what drove him to his death and to punish those who blindly vilified him without checking the facts.

Over the past 10 days, her post has garnered more than 21,000 signatures.

"A student's lie soon became a sexual harassment allegation against him. He didn't have any proper chance to explain. Pressured enormously by the student human rights center, he had to kill himself to prove his innocence," Kang wrote.

"Some people say, 'If he didn't do it, why would he die? He should have insisted on his innocence.' He tried hard until he realized there was no other way but death to prove his innocence. No one seemed to listen."

Song, a teacher at the Sangseo Middle School in North Jeolla Province, was accused of inappropriately touching a female student. There was no evidence.

But the North Jeolla Province Office of Education immediately removed Son from his position, leaving him vulnerable to gossip and rumors.

Kang claimed the student made the false accusation after Song reprimanded her for using her mobile phone in a classroom.

After Son died, Kang complained to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), which she said ignored her request for a thorough investigation. The education office was not helpful either, she noted.

"It could happen to any man. Once any woman starts to make sexual harassment allegations against you, you are caught in a trap," she wrote.

"This country has no sense of justice for falsely accused men. If someone points a finger at you, you will be judged immediately. Why do we need police, prosecutors and judges? Where is the presumption of innocence for those who are accused of sexual crimes?"

"There are not just criminals but also innocent people who are falsely accused … I strongly condemn the NHRCK for blindly protecting the human rights of some people while ignoring others."

Kang called on President Moon Jae-in to establish a system to better protect people like her husband, as many other people have demanded amid the #MeToo movement over the past few months.


Emailmj6c2@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival
  • Attention needed to end modern-day slavery
  • Ex-Gyeryong mayor found dead after losing nomination in local elections
  • Labor union opposes resumption of late-night subway operations
  • [INTERVIEW] How brewery waste turned into pizza dough, energy bars at RE:harvest
  • Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
  • Mother charged with killing disabled daughter
  • Samsung to invest 450 trillion to cement lead in chip, bio sectors
  • Gov't to ease tax burden that increased during previous administration
  • [ANALYSIS] Internet-only K bank pressed to delay IPO plan
  • 'GOT7 has not disbanded' 'GOT7 has not disbanded'
  • Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms
  • Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour
  • Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival
  • 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group