Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's Death Colored By Sexual Harassment Issues

Park Won-soon (Sumber: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - The death of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon raises his alleged involvement in a sexual harassment case. The news tarnishes Park's name, who is also known as a reformist and feminist.

Park Won-soon was found dead on a forested hill in northern Seoul on Friday morning, about seven hours after her daughter reported to police that Park left a verbal message before leaving home. Authorities launched a massive search for the 64-year-old until his body was found by rescue dogs.

Police said there were no signs of irregularities at the location where the bodies were found. The police also refused to reveal the cause of Park's death. Early Friday, July 10, Seoul officials revealed what they described as "Park's will".

"I feel sorry for everyone. I thank everyone who has been with me in my life," said the note Park left for the family, which was later shown on TV.

One of the points mentioned was Park's request that his body be cremated and scattered around the graves of his parents.

Sympathy and sentiment

Reported CBC, Friday, July 10, Park's supporters were seen shouting slogans, such as "we love you" and "we apologize" when Park's body arrived at Seoul Hospital. A supporter of Park, Kim Young-hyun (48) said, "I really respect him ... I hope he can realize all his dreams in heaven."

As well as sympathy, sentiment also flared up against Park, following local media coverage of the alleged sexual harassment reported by Park's female secretary. The police have again been closed about this. The police only confirmed the report against Park without elaborating.

Some critics have questioned the image of a man who describes himself as a "feminist mayor" dedicated to gender equality and a vocal supporter of the "Me Too" movement. During his days as a human rights lawyer, Park won South Korea's first sexual harassment case in 1998.

At that time he was in a legal battle for years, where he defended a research assistant at Seoul National University who was the victim of sexual harassment by a professor. The client was fired for refusing the professor's sex offer.

From his position as Mayor, Park has remained focused on feminist issues and gender equality issues. She appointed special advisers to help her address gender equality issues and introduced policies aimed at designing safer urban environments for women and providing affordable housing for working single women.

"Everyone commemorates the deceased without speaking about the pain that a female victim will endure throughout her life," Yu Chang-seon, a commentator on social issues, wrote on Facebook.

Professor Yi Han Sang of Korea University criticized the Seoul Municipal government for its plans to establish a number of public mourning areas and official funding allocations for Park's funeral to take place next week. According to him, the Seoul City Government should focus on clarifying the accusations against Park.