Fall of elite official

Former vice minister caught in sex scandal

The media has been plastered with sexual scandals involving former K-pop idols such as Seungri of the popular boy band BIGBANG and Jung Joonyoung. Since the entertainment industry has often been linked to such scandals, the public was not too surprised by the allegations of sex videos, prostitution and drugs. But many Koreans have been very disturbed lately by another sexual abuse case centered on a high-level official during Park Geunhye administration.

Kim Hakui, who retired from public service in March 2013 after briefly serving as vice minister at the Ministry of Justice, allegedly attended a sex party with a group of women at a villa in Wonju, Gangwon Province, owned by building contractor Yoon Jungcheon, who was suspected of seeking business favors in exchange for arranging sex services for high-level officials. A video clip of the party was leaked to the public and Kim had to resign from his post only six days after being appointed. Hwang Kyoahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), was the minister of justice at the time of Kim's departure from the ministry.

The case came to public attention again when one of the victims talked during an interview on March 14 on KBS about the horrors she has suffered. She said that she has more stories that could have a shocking impact on Korean society and could not speak about them at this point. She feared for her life as she was allegedly threatened by Kim's wife and blamed the prosecution for not hearing her side of the story.

Kim, who is at the center of the scandal, has proved to be a despicable coward so far to say the least. First of all, he had his wife speak to the media on his behalf about the allegations of sexual abuse. If he is truly innocent, he should speak for himself and not involve others, in particular his wife, to defend him against the suspicions of sexual crime. Second, he attempted to leave Korea last week from Incheon International Airport, according to the Ministry of Justice. The ministry imposed an emergency travel ban on Kim after a special panel at the ministry recently recommended a reinvestigation of Kim's case. It is appalling that someone with such a low sense of responsibility was part of Korea's elite public service just a few years ago.

President Moon Jaein ordered a thorough probe into the Kim scandal. This time, the police and the prosecution should clear up all suspicions from the poor investigations of the past, including possible meddling from Cheong Wa Dae.

Above all, all public officials should take the occasion to seriously reflect on whether they are doing their jobs in strict accordance with the law and with a clear conscience.