Political Backlash: Women’s Groups Demand End to Ahn Hee-jung’s Public Appearances Post Conviction

Women’s rights groups in the Daejeon area have called for Ahn Hee-jung to cease his public and political activities following his recent appearance at Park Jung-hyun’s book launch event.

On the 10th, the Daejeon Women’s Organization Federation released a statement condemning the presence of a convicted sex offender at a political event. They expressed profound outrage and concern, stating, “Ahn’s attempt to re-enter the public sphere, disregarding the trauma inflicted on sexual assault survivors and his societal obligations, undermines the hard-won progress our society has made in addressing sexual violence and holding perpetrators accountable.”

The organization also criticized politicians who welcomed Ahn at the event, asserting, “When elected officials, who are supposed to represent the people, defend a perpetrator and condone his return, it resembles a power-protecting cartel.” They pointedly asked, “What happened to the Democratic Party’s supposed introspection and remorse over the power-based sexual crimes that have tarnished its reputation?”