Dongbu Group chief accused of sexual harassment

By Bahk Eun-ji, Park Si-soo

Dongbu Group chief Kim Jun-ki

Dongbu Group chief Kim Jun-ki has been accused of sexually harassing his former female secretary, police said Wednesday.

Kim, 73, is suspected of having “inappropriate” physical contact with the former secretary in her early 30s over the six months from February.

The woman filed a formal complaint with Suseo Police Station in Seoul on Tuesday, demanding an investigation. She reportedly submitted video footage showing Kim touching her thighs and waist. Details of the footage, including when and how it was captured, are unknown.

She quit the company in July after working as the chairman’s secretary for three years. Kim has been staying in the United States since July, receiving medical treatment for liver and kidney diseases.

The company denies the allegations. It claims the woman “seduced the chairman into touching her body and captured it with a hidden camera to extort money from him.”

A Dongbu spokesman claimed she had contacted the company before filing the complaint, demanding 10 billion won ($8.9 million) in return for deleting the clip.

Police will question the former secretary and if deemed necessary will issue a subpoena to quiz the chairman.