South Korea: Politician Ahn Hee-jung acquitted in sexual abuse case
A former South Korean presidential contender was found not guilty on all charges today in a trial stemming from allegations that he raped a female aide several times. Ahn Hee-jun, before the scandal, was seen as a strong candidate to replace President Moon Jae-in when his term ends in 2022. The case is by far the highest-profile case in South Korea's growing #MeToo movement.
I am sorry, I am so ashamed: Ahn
Ahn was acquitted of forced sexual abuse, sexual intercourse by abuse of authority, and other charges by the Seoul Western District Court. "I am sorry and I am so ashamed," he said on the courthouse steps. "I have disappointed many. I will make efforts to be born again," he went on, as women's rights activists shouted, "It's not over yet!" at him.
Victim had narrated her ordeal in a television interview
Ahn was Governor of South Chungcheong province when his aide Kim Ji-eun said in a television interview this year that he had raped her four times. She said she couldn't reject her boss due to the rigid hierarchy of her office. The 53-year-old politician issued a formal apology, stepped-down from his post and was later indicted, but has always insisted the sex was consensual.
Court says there was little evidence that sex wasn't consensual
The court said it saw little evidence that Ahn used his authority to force Kim into sex, adding the evidence presented by the prosecution, which had demanded that four years' jail for Ahn was not enough to prove that Kim's sexual freedom was violated against her will. "There are also many things that were questionable and incomprehensible in the victim's testimony," the court said.
Technologically advanced South Korea unfortunately remains a male-dominated country
South Korea remains socially patriarchal despite its economic and technological advances, with a male-dominated legal system often accused of handing out verdicts favoring men in sex abuse cases.
Women's right campaigners express disappointment; Ahn's supporters cheer for him
Kim said she wouldn't feel defeated by today's injustice. "I will fight... until the day when those using their power to sexually abuse others are held accountable under the laws," she added. Dozens of women's rights campaigners condemned Ahn outside the court building, while the politician's supporters cheered for him. "Repent, Ahn Hee-jung! What you did was sexual violence!" the activists chanted.
#MeToo movement shattered South Korea's ground this year
The #MeToo campaign against the abuse of women swept South Korea this year after Seoul prosecutor Seo Ji-Hyeon defied convention to speak out on television about the abuse she suffered at the hands of a powerful superior. Her move opened the floodgates, prompting more women to come forward to accuse powerful figures in politics, arts, religion, education, and entertainment of abuse.
