Police Launch Full-Scale Probe Into Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Kim Seung-won; Question Complainant

[Financial News] Police have launched a full-scale investigation into sexual harassment allegations involving Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Seung-won, who withdrew as a nominee for justice minister.
According to police on the 8th, the Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has been questioning Kim Sun-hwan, secretary-general of the Committee for Measures on Ordinary People’s Livelihoods, as the complainant at the agency’s Hyochang building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, since around 10 a.m. that day.
Before the questioning, Secretary-General Kim said, “This controversy over the sexual harassment allegations involving candidate Kim Seung-won should be regarded as a serious matter,” and, “Members of the National Assembly should serve the people with the utmost humility, rather than stand at the center of power.”
On the 22nd of last month, the committee filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Rep. Kim on suspicion of indecent assault and abuse of authority. Citing as grounds a petition reportedly submitted to the presidential office by Kim’s former aides at the time, the committee claimed that the petition said one of the other attendees at a drinking gathering attended by Kim around June 2024 protested, alleging they had been sexually harassed. The committee also filed a complaint against Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-min and independent lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae, who were reportedly at the gathering.
Meanwhile, Rep. Kim’s side previously said of the sexual harassment allegations, “The rumors about the petition reported in the media are either untrue or contain exaggerations and errors,” adding, “We will verify and review the precise facts about the circumstances and content of the reporting before taking any necessary measures.”
Police had previously indicated that it would be difficult to launch an investigation based solely on allegations. At a regular press briefing on the 21st of last month, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Go Beom-seok said of the allegations, “If an investigation is conducted based only on allegations, it could become arbitrary,” adding, “I think there should be some material to serve as a starting point for an investigation.” However, when asked at the time whether an investigation could be conducted if specific allegations were made public or a complaint was filed, Commissioner Go replied, “Yes,” leaving open the possibility of an investigation.
[email protected] Seo Ji-yoon Reporter