Sex abuse allegation hits Saenuri lawmaker

By Kim Hyo-jin

Rep. Yi Wan-young

Rep. Yi Wan-young of the ruling Saenuri Party is facing an allegation that he raped a female reporter in 1995.

The alleged victim, now 45 and the mother of two children, plans to hold a press conference soon.

She insisted that she was raped by Yi in a car while she was under the influence of alcohol. At the time, Yi was serving as an official in the labor ministry, and she met Yi for an interview as a reporter for a newspaper specializing in labor issues.

She said she has been silent about the case out of concern for her family, but decided to step forward as Yi accused her of making a “groundless” allegation.

“I don’t think a person like him should continue working as a lawmaker,” she said.