Rep. Jang Kyung-tae, an independent lawmaker formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of molesting a female secretary, has been sent to prosecutors.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Women and Juvenile Investigation Unit said on the 27th that it had referred Rep. Jang to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges of quasi-forcible molestation and violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (confidentiality).
A former secretary surnamed Kim, who is accused of attempting sexual violence against the same victim, was also referred on a charge of attempted quasi-rape.
Jang is accused of molesting female aide A at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, in Oct. 2023 while drinking with National Assembly staff. He is also accused of secondary victimization, including exposing the victim's identity after the controversy erupted.
In Oct. 2024, Jang was sued by A. Jang filed a countersuit against A, who submitted the complaint, on a charge of false accusation.
On the 19th, after deliberation, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's investigation review committee issued an opinion to refer Jang on the charge of quasi-forcible molestation. For the secondary victimization charge, it recommended referral after a supplementary investigation.
Afterward, as criticism mounted at home and abroad, on the 20th Jang left the Democratic Party, saying, "I will prove my innocence and return so as not to harm the party."