Seoul, South Korea – Outrage is mounting among women's rights organizations following the death of former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, who was under police investigation for alleged sexual assault. With police indicating they intend to close the case as "no right to prosecute" due to Jang's death, advocacy groups are vehemently protesting this decision. They argue that the cessation of investigation due to the suspect's death perpetuates a harmful cycle and are demanding the police release the findings of their investigation into the allegations of power-based sexual violence.
Members of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center and other women's groups held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on April 9th, urging a thorough disclosure of the investigative outcomes concerning the late Mr. Jang.
The Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center and the Korean Women's Hotline stated during the press conference that "investigative authorities have, based on the victim's statements, the suspect's testimony, and various secured pieces of evidence, substantially confirmed the facts related to the charges." They further asserted, "If the police conclude the investigation citing the suspect's death, it not only infringes upon the legal rights of the victim but also makes it difficult to prevent secondary victimization."
Mr. Jang was found deceased in an officetel in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on March 31st, shortly after the victim's side released additional evidence, including photos and videos allegedly taken on the day of the assault. Mr. Jang had consistently denied the accusations and underwent police questioning on March 28th. Park Hyun-soo, the acting Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on April 7th during a regular press briefing that they were "planning to make a 'no right to prosecute' decision soon" due to the suspect's death.
The women's groups criticized the police's intention to close the case, labeling it an "unlawful practice." Attorney Ahn Ji-hee of the Women's Human Rights Committee of MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, emphasized that "there is no explicit provision in the Criminal Procedure Act stipulating the immediate termination of an investigation upon the death of the suspect." She added, "Despite this, if a suspect dies during an investigation, the case is effectively closed without further inquiry, depriving the victim of the opportunity to have their experience officially acknowledged, even when evidence exists."
Kim Jae-ryeon, the attorney representing the victim, stated that "all aspects of the victim's complaint that could be substantively assessed by the investigative authorities have been completed, with one exception." She explained that "the process of confirming whether male DNA found in the victim's underwear, collected by the Sunflower Center, matches Mr. Jang's DNA, was the only remaining step before Mr. Jang made the extreme decision." She further lamented, "It is too harsh for the victim to accept this reality where not only the alleged actions but also the case's closure are determined by the unilateral will of the accused."
The victim, identified as Lee Yun-seul (pseudonym), conveyed through the women's groups, "The reason I couldn't report for so long was the fear of being crushed by the perpetrator's immense power and imperious attitude." She added, "The perpetrator's choice of escapist death is merely a self-inflicted end to a life lived in fear of punishment; it is neither a punishment nor an absolution." Ms. Lee explicitly stated, "I absolutely do not want this case to be closed in this manner."
Following the press conference, the women's groups submitted 11,626 signatures collected from individuals and organizations since April 8th to the police. They also reported that their request for a meeting with the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had gone unanswered.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by victims of sexual assault in South Korea, particularly when the accused holds significant power or in situations where the legal process is truncated by the suspect's death. Women's rights advocates continue to push for systemic changes that prioritize victims' rights and ensure thorough investigations, regardless of the accused's status or circumstances.
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