'Victim of Ahn Hee-jung's Sexual Assault' Kim Ji-eun: "Please Waive Litigation Cost Collection"... Files Complaint with South Chungcheong Province

[Financial News] Kim Ji-eun, a victim of sexual violence by former South Chungcheong Governor Ahn Hee-jung, has asked South Chungcheong Province to waive its efforts to collect litigation costs from her. She argues that it is inappropriate to demand litigation costs from the victim even though the province's liability for damages under the State Compensation Act was recognized in the civil case.
Kim said on social media on the 21st, "I filed an official complaint with South Chungcheong Province through e-People," adding, "I asked that the matter be referred to the Litigation Review Committee so it can deliberate on whether to waive the collection of litigation costs."
She continued, "I asked the province to put the collection on hold until a decision is made and to inform me whether the matter will be referred to the committee, as well as the date of its deliberation," adding, "If it is not referred, I also asked the province to explain the reasons and grounds."
In a statement issued on the 18th, Kim had also said, "South Chungcheong Province, whose liability for state compensation was recognized, demanded litigation costs from me, the victim." She called on the province to waive the collection and refer the matter to the Litigation Review Committee.
Former Governor Ahn was previously indicted on charges of repeatedly committing sexual violence and indecent assault against Kim, who served as his executive secretary. His sentence of three years and six months in prison was finalized in 2019, and he was released in 2022 after serving his full term.
The court also concluded that Ahn's sexual violence was related to the performance of his duties as governor and finalized his and South Chungcheong Province's liability for damages in April last year.
However, because the court did not accept all of Kim's claims, she was ordered to bear part of the litigation costs as the plaintiff.
The issue came to a head when South Chungcheong Province recently applied to the court to determine the amount of litigation costs.
Kim is currently challenging the litigation costs set by the court.
South Chungcheong Province's current rules on handling litigation allow it to waive the collection of litigation costs when making the opposing party bear such costs in a public-interest lawsuit would be inappropriate for the purpose of promoting the public interest or protecting the rights of socially vulnerable people.
Kim called for the matter to be referred to the Litigation Review Committee under these rules. She said, "South Chungcheong Province was my workplace and the local government that should have protected its employee," adding, "The litigation costs demanded by the province are by no means a small amount. This money is urgently needed to support my livelihood and treatment and to rebuild my shattered daily life."
She also pointed out, "Because I must spend time and energy on legal procedures, my recovery of a normal life will inevitably be delayed," adding, "For a victim of sexual violence to report what happened and seek redress through a civil lawsuit is already another hurdle in itself."
Regarding Kim's request to refer the matter to the Litigation Review Committee, South Chungcheong Province said, "It is currently under review."
Meanwhile, the Korea Women's Political Network issued a statement that day, saying, "With South Chungcheong Province's liability for state compensation already finalized, demanding litigation costs from the victim constitutes secondary victimization and an administrative action that discourages victims from seeking remedies." It urged the province to withdraw its claim for litigation costs.
[email protected] Ahn Ga-eul Reporter