Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Wan-joo, who was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a female aide, received a finalized sentence of one year in prison.
The Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Shin Suk-hee) on the 11th finalized the lower court ruling that sentenced former lawmaker Park to one year in prison on charges including forced molestation and defamation. Orders requiring him to complete 40 hours of a sex offender treatment program and restricting his employment at institutions related to children and teens for five years were also finalized.
Park was elected in the 19th general election in 2012 after running in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and went on to win three consecutive terms through the 21st general election in the same district. In 2018, Park served as a supreme council member of the Democratic Party, and from May 2021, as the party's policy committee chair. The Democratic Party expelled Park in May 2022 after sexual assault allegations surfaced.
Park was indicted on charges including forcibly molesting aide A in December 2021, ahead of the 20th presidential election, at a karaoke bar in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, and in the parking lot of a nearby officetel where Park lived. A had worked with Park since 2004, when A was an aide in a National Assembly member's office. When Park was elected to the National Assembly, A joined as an aide in Park's office.
A reported the sexual assault to the Democratic Party of Korea Gender Violence Reporting and Counseling Center in April 2022, after the presidential election. Park then attempted to dismiss A, leading to a charge of abuse of power and obstruction of another's rights. Park also faces a defamation charge for telling people in the district that A had tried to reach a settlement.
In the first trial in Dec. last year, the court found Park guilty of forced molestation and defamation and sentenced Park to one year in prison. In the second trial on Aug., the court upheld the one-year sentence. The bench said, "The defendant did not offer a genuine apology or make efforts to remedy the harm, and repeatedly claimed false accusation through the investigation and in court, causing further suffering to the victim due to this attitude," adding, "Given the relationship between the defendant and the victim, the nature of the crime, and the conduct after the offense, the culpability is heavy."
Park was taken into custody at the first trial, and in July, a bail request was granted, allowing Park to stand trial without detention. The appellate court maintained bail in consideration of Park's health condition. At the second-instance sentencing, Park appeared in court with crutches and left in a wheelchair after the session ended. With the sentence finalized, Park is expected to begin serving the term.