The police announced that they would conclude the sexual violence allegation case against the late former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Jae-won as 'no charges' and notify the complainant accordingly.
A representative from the Korean National Police Agency stated at a regular press briefing on the 14th, "Since the investigation was not completed at the time of (former lawmaker Jang's) death, we will notify the complainant with the content that 'it is concluded as no charges.'"
He explained, "When the opinions of the victim and the accused differ, working to reconcile those is part of the investigation."
Earlier, women's organizations urged the police to announce the investigation results in the case of former lawmaker Jang, stating that the essence of the case should not be buried even if the accused has died. The Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center and the Korean Women's Hotline held a press conference in front of the Seoul Police Agency on the 9th, saying, "In other cases where the accused has died, the police have organized and announced the investigation results," and added, "In this case of former lawmaker Jang, revealing the facts is a minimal measure to guarantee the victim's rights."
Person A stated in a statement representing women's organizations, "The investigation is already over 80% complete, and the perpetrator has also been questioned," and added, "There are still many victims of power-based sexual violence, and the death of the perpetrator should not serve as a get-out-of-jail-free card." Person A's legal representative, attorney Kim Jae-ryeon from the law firm Onsesang, said, "I hope this will set a new precedent that the death of the accused should not hinder the determination of criminal facts."