By Kim Hyo-jin
A Saenuri Party lawmaker being investigated for allegedly raping a woman last month said Monday he will leave the ruling party.
"I apologize for causing concern to people due to this unsavory incident," Rep. Sim Hag-bong said in a press release. "I decided to give up my membership and not burden the ruling party. I will fully cooperate with the police investigation."
He did not comment on mounting calls to give up his National Assembly seat.
Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency said it will summon the lawmaker soon for questioning. Sim is suspected of having raped a 48-year-old insurance sales woman in a hotel room in Daegu on July 13.
The woman first alleged she was raped, but changed her testimony during police questioning, saying there was no coercion. However, police said Sim is being investigated as a rape suspect.
Earlier in the day, the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) urged the Saenuri Party to deal with the matter strictly.
"The Saenuri Party must expel Sim and apologize to the public for what happened," NPAD lawmaker Seo Young-kyo told reporters.
NPAD spokesman Kim Young-rok also criticized Sim, saying, "When Sim was accused of committing the sexual assault was when the National Assembly committee he belongs to was holding a session. It is appalling that the lawmaker neglected his duty and instead engaged in a crime."
The Saenuri Party also hinted that it would not protect the lawmaker.
"Based on the results of the police investigation, the party will take proper measures," Saenuri spokeswoman Rep. Shin Yee-jin said. "Apart from the legal penalty, a party-level punishment is inevitable."
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| Rep. Sim Hag-bong |
"I apologize for causing concern to people due to this unsavory incident," Rep. Sim Hag-bong said in a press release. "I decided to give up my membership and not burden the ruling party. I will fully cooperate with the police investigation."
He did not comment on mounting calls to give up his National Assembly seat.
Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency said it will summon the lawmaker soon for questioning. Sim is suspected of having raped a 48-year-old insurance sales woman in a hotel room in Daegu on July 13.
The woman first alleged she was raped, but changed her testimony during police questioning, saying there was no coercion. However, police said Sim is being investigated as a rape suspect.
Earlier in the day, the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) urged the Saenuri Party to deal with the matter strictly.
"The Saenuri Party must expel Sim and apologize to the public for what happened," NPAD lawmaker Seo Young-kyo told reporters.
NPAD spokesman Kim Young-rok also criticized Sim, saying, "When Sim was accused of committing the sexual assault was when the National Assembly committee he belongs to was holding a session. It is appalling that the lawmaker neglected his duty and instead engaged in a crime."
The Saenuri Party also hinted that it would not protect the lawmaker.
"Based on the results of the police investigation, the party will take proper measures," Saenuri spokeswoman Rep. Shin Yee-jin said. "Apart from the legal penalty, a party-level punishment is inevitable."
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