Lawmaker offers to resign over alleged sexual misconduct

Rep. Min Byung-doo of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Yonhap

By Choi Ha-young

Rep. Min Byung-doo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has offered to give up his National Assembly seat after a businesswoman accused him of sexually harassing her.

“I apologize to her regardless of the circumstance. As far as I remember, I was not involved in any problematic behavior,” Min said in a text message sent to journalists Saturday.

“I will do my best to prevent additional damage to her and I support the #MeToo movements.”

The statement came a few hours after a #MeToo claim through a media interview in which the woman accused Min of sexual harassment.

“It happened in 2008 at a singing room where alcohol was served,” the woman said. “He asked me to dance and suddenly kissed me. After I abruptly left there, the zipper of my pants was open.”

At the time, Min was not a lawmaker after losing in the 2008 general election.

Min, who is preparing for the Seoul mayoral election in June, did not make the decision in conjunction with the DPK leadership, according to party floor leader Woo Won-shik.

“I met Min yesterday evening. He told me that such a controversy is so shameful according to his ethical standard,” Woo posted on Facebook Sunday.

“I persuaded him to reveal the facts first before resigning, but he stuck to his resignation. I can’t accept his resignation.”

DPK Supreme Council member Rep. Ahn Gyu-back also tried to dissuade Min from giving up the seat. “For a lawmaker who represents voters of his electoral district, the resignation is irresponsible,” Ahn was quoted as saying. “Further, the allegation is far from habitual harassment in a hierarchy system.”

The atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the case of disgraced ex-governor An Hee-jung.

As soon as An’s secretary joined the #MeToo campaign to claim he had raped her repeatedly, the DPK promptly ousted An, who was widely viewed as the party’s next presidential candidate.

However, the resignation of Min, a three-term lawmaker, will remain pending until National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun approves it.

The DPK is expected to uphold Min’s position, because the ruling party’s majority in the Assembly is at stake ― the DPK has 121 seats, while the second-largest Liberty Korea Party has 116.

Meanwhile, Min’s wife defended him in her Facebook posting Saturday. “Even though it was a one-time misconduct, he should apologize. However, I trust my husband’s honesty, so I think I could forgive him,” she said.

“Distinguishing between right and wrong is not so urgent. For now, I agree with him to step down from the post to obey his ethical standard.”