Scandal-hit politician claims innocence
Chung Bong-ju holds a press conference at the National Assembly, Monday, to refute a sexual harassment allegation. / Yonhap
By Choi Ha-young
Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chung Bong-ju, Monday, denied a media report he sexually harassed a woman in 2011.
Online news outlet Pressian ran a story about Chung’s alleged sexual misconduct based on interviews with the alleged victim hours before Chung was supposed to hold a press conference to declare his bid for Seoul mayor last week. Chung eventually canceled the event.
His case drew keen attention amid the snowballing #MeToo movement here.
Chung claimed innocence, saying the story was “totally fabricated.” He said he will take legal action over the report unless the news outlet takes proper measures.
According to the report, in 2011, the victim allegedly met Chung as a fan. Around Christmas of 2011 ― before Chung was imprisoned for spreading negative information about then President Lee ― Chung invited her to a hotel room and tried to kiss her. The woman currently works as a local journalist.
In a press conference, Monday, Chung sternly refuted the allegation by making alibis. “Based on the report, I met her in a hotel on Yeouido, southern Seoul, about 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2011. However, at that time, I was having talks with Buddhist monk Myungjin near Hongik University. I was with the monk through the late afternoon,” he said.
“In the morning of the day, I met some lawyers and rushed to a hospital after hearing that my mother collapsed. After visiting my mother I met Myungjin. Later, I went to a restaurant with my colleagues of podcast Naneun Ggomsuda,” he added.
He also presented some pictures that he took with the monk that day, saying he never met the woman privately. “As far as I know, the Pressian journalist and the alleged victims are college friends,” Chung said, casting doubt on reliability of the report.
The controversy around the report is likely to escalate, since Pressian said further testimonies have been prepared to prove the allegation. On Friday, the victim protested against Chung’s press release via the online outlet.
“I clearly remember Chung’s text messages sent to me, saying that he will be late due to his tight schedule on Dec. 23,” she said. “I urge him to take legal action against me (to clarify facts.)”
The press conference came three days after Chung issued a press release to deny the allegation Friday. In the release, he backed the ongoing #MeToo campaigns. “Despite the fake report by Pressian, the #MeToo campaign should remain intact,” Chung said.
Despite the spreading scandal, he said he will keep maintain his candidacy in the mayoral campaign.
Chung is an iconic figure among liberals for his outspoken remarks against former conservative President Lee Myung-bak. He and his colleagues focused on the corruption of Lee, particularly about Lee’s alleged involvement in the BBK stock price manipulation scandal.
In December last year, he was reinstated by President Moon Jae-in, which qualified him to run for Seoul mayor. Since he has not yet gained membership in the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Chung applied for the preliminary candidacy as an independent.