This photo, taken on March 27, 2018, shows Chung Bong-ju, a prominent liberal politician, speaking during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) – A prominent liberal politician on Wednesday withdrew his bid for the June Seoul mayoral election and quit politics over allegations that he sexually harassed a young woman seven years ago.
Chung Bong-ju, 57, exited the crowded race shortly after the alleged victim unveiled a fresh piece of evidence to back the accusations, which has made his claim of innocence appear flimsy and spurred him to apologize.
“I am withdrawing my bid to run in the Seoul mayoral election … I will wrap up all of my public activities, repent again and again and return as an ordinary person,” Chung wrote on Twitter. “I again apologize … I thank those who have trusted and supported me.”
Before the scandal erupted earlier this month, Chung was seen as a potent contender for the ruling Democratic Party’s primary for the local election. But the party has refused to accept him as a member due to the scandal.
On March 7, a local media outlet reported the allegations against him. Chung immediately denied them, filed a complaint with the prosecution against two reporters of the outlet and vowed to press ahead with his election bid.
Chung had argued that he did not go to a Seoul hotel, where he was purported to have sexually abused the woman. But on Monday, the alleged victim presented a mobile phone game photo to corroborate her claim that she was waiting for him, while playing the game at the hotel.
After the evidence surfaced, Chung dropped the complaint against the reporters and admitted to having visited the hotel.
Chung had been seeking to return to politics since he was given a special presidential pardon late last year.
Chung was convicted for raising allegations ahead of the 2007 presidential election that then-leading candidate Lee Myung-bak was the real owner of an investment consulting firm, known as BBK, accused of stock price rigging. The conviction had stripped Chung of his right to run for elected office until 2022.
(Yonhap)
