The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • 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
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Thu, April 15, 2021 | 05:17
Law & Crime
'False sex crime accusation killed my husband'
Posted : 2018-03-25 15:21
Updated : 2018-03-26 13:40
Mail
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









 
LG
 
  • Chinese man under probe for violent behavior after 'dirty Chinese kimchi' argument
  • New virus cases back over 700 as fourth wave of pandemic looms
  • Korea's vaccination plan faces major setbacks
  • Politicians' artist children raise eyebrows over conflict of interest
  • Asylum seeker leaves airport for hospital after 14 months in transit zone
  • Korea marks world's lowest birthrate: UN report
  • Over 100 people line up in front of Chanel shop amid rumors of price hikes
  • Korea's diplomatic capacity lacking
  • Former UN chief's national climate council shuts down after 2 years
  • Retailers taking action against Japanese seafood
  • Seo Yea-ji's career goes into tailspin amid multiple allegations of misconduct Seo Yea-ji's career goes into tailspin amid multiple allegations of misconduct
  • Chilean TV channel apologizes over racist jokes about BTS Chilean TV channel apologizes over racist jokes about BTS
  • [INTERVIEW] Gong Yoo contemplates what it is to be human in sci-fi film 'Seobok' [INTERVIEW] Gong Yoo contemplates what it is to be human in sci-fi film 'Seobok'
  • MAMAMOO's Wheein takes music charts by storm with 'Water Color' MAMAMOO's Wheein takes music charts by storm with 'Water Color'
  • BLACKPINK amasses 60 million subscribers on YouTube: agency BLACKPINK amasses 60 million subscribers on YouTube: agency
DARKROOM
  • Locust outbreak

    Locust outbreak

  • Death toll rises as protests continue in Myanmar

    Death toll rises as protests continue in Myanmar

  • Say 'NO' to racism (Part 2)

    Say 'NO' to racism (Part 2)

  • Say 'NO' to racism (Part 1)

    Say 'NO' to racism (Part 1)

  • Worst dust storm chokes Beijing

    Worst dust storm chokes Beijing

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