Today's #MeToo roundup (March 7)
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#MeToo is all the rage in South Korea. The Korea Times daily updates new claims you should not miss. -- ED.
Chung Bong-joo
Chung Bong-joo, a former lawmaker and contender for Seoul Mayor, was hit by #MeToo. He allegedly forcibly kissed and molested a university student at a hotel in 2011. The alleged victim told online news outlet Pressian that she met him as a “fan” of the reform-minded leftist politician but he started flirting as they met often. Chung called off a press conference to declare his bid for Seoul Mayor in the June elections.
Ex-Ewha professor
A retired professor from Ewha Womans University has become another target of the #MeToo movement. A woman who introduced herself as a school graduate said on the student body’s online community that she was sexually molested when she visited the professor a few days after National Teachers Day in May 2016. The incident allegedly happened at the professor’s lab. The student did not report the matter to police because she feared a backlash. She said the professor, whose identity is unknown, later offered her a job opportunity that she never asked for. The school said if the woman’s allegations are found to be true, the suspect will be dealt with.
K-pop singer
A K-pop singer, whose identity is unknown, is accused of sexually harassing a woman several years ago. The woman, who raised the allegation online Tuesday, claimed he groped her and kissed her at a Seoul PC cafe against her will when she was a sixth grader. He was a first-year middle school student at that time. The woman also accused him of forcing her to send him photos of her naked body.
Film director Kim Ki-duk
Kim Ki-duk, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, has faced yet another #MeToo claim. Kim allegedly demanded actresses have sex with him, and raped one of them, according to testimonies from victims. MBC TV's investigative news show “PD's Notepad” on Tuesday exposed more sexual misconduct allegations involving Kim and actor Cho Jae-hyun -- who has frequently appeared in the director’s films -- through interviews with three actresses.
Ex-governor An Hee-jung
The prosecution decided to take over the sexual assault case against former South Chungcheong Province Gov. An Hee-jung. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office said it decided to investigate the case in consideration of the victim's wish, the case’s jurisdiction and the need for a swift probe. The victim filed an official complaint with the office on Tuesday. The office formed an investigation team comprised of four prosecutors.
Senior prosecutor
The Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office requested Wednesday that the justice ministry fire a senior prosecutor who has been arrested and indicted on charges of sexual misconduct. The prosecutor, 48, identified by his surname Kim, was arrested last month for allegedly making forced physical contact with a junior female prosecutor subordinate during an office dinner in January. He was later found to have sexually abused another colleague. Kim has admitted the charges.