The wave of sexual misconduct allegations that was brought to the surface by the MeToo movement has spread to Korea's political sphere,... with a well-known political heavyweight hit with extremely serious allegations.
And the police this morning, have officially opened a criminal case into the matter.
Shin Se-min reports.
Another familiar public figure faces allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Governor of Chungcheongnam-do Province, An Hee-jung, has been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting his secretary over the past eight months.
Appearing on local news media on Monday, the victim said she was raped on four occasions between June 2017 and February this year.
The victim even said Governor An had raped her *after she mentioned the MeToo movement,... which spread to Korea after a female prosecutor came forward with her experiences in January.
An's alleged victim said she will file a complaint with the prosecution Tuesday.
Shortly after the allegations came to light,... the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea apologized on behalf of the party,... and said it would expel the governor, following an emergency meeting of its party leaders.
The 54-year old governor An,... after insisting the sexual relations were consensual, later resigned and said he would stop all political activities.
The rattling allegations of sexual misconduct are the *first within the political sphere to be publicized since the MeToo movement hit Korea this year.
And given that An was considered one of the main contenders for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination against the then-frontrunner and now the current President Moon Jae-in, the allegations are raising eyebrows.
An was one of the most prominent politicians in liberal circles,... often being cited as the now ruling party's next leader or even a presidential candidate.
The latest revelation comes after a raft of allegations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment, culture, education and even religious circles.
Shin Semin Arirang News.
