Seocheon People Power Party Supporters Accused of Assaulting Female Democratic Party Volunteer

Democratic Party: "Victim Receiving Hospital Treatment, Suffering Emotional Trauma"

On the 22nd, Yoo Seung-kwang, the Democratic Party candidate for Seocheon County governor, along with local council candidates, held a press conference urging the police to investigate the supporters of the People Power Party who assaulted a female volunteer in her 30s.

With the June 3 local elections approaching, allegations have been raised in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, that a female volunteer affiliated with the Democratic Party was subjected to electioneering interference and assault by supporters of the People Power Party.

Shin Dongwoo, the head of the election campaign committee for Yoo Seunggwang, the Democratic Party candidate for Seocheon County Governor, held a press conference at Yoo's campaign office on May 22 and stated, "At around 11:30 a.m. on this day, while Democratic Party candidates for Seocheon County were holding a joint campaign at Seocheon Specialty Market, incidents of election interference and violence occurred near the People Power Party's joint campaign venue, located at the intersection by the seafood section of Seocheon Specialty Market."

He further claimed, "A female volunteer in her 30s, who was passing by and filming the campaign scene, was approached by a member of the People Power Party, who made threatening remarks such as, 'You're with the Democratic Party, aren't you?', 'Why are you here?', 'Don't take pictures', and 'Go away.'"

He added, "Supporters of the People Power Party quickly surrounded the victim, making insulting remarks, engaging in physical contact, and assaulting her," and stated, "The victim is currently receiving hospital treatment after experiencing extreme fear and shock."

In particular, he raised suspicions of secondary victimization, claiming, "Supporters of the People Power Party mocked the victim's protest by saying things like, 'Did you even get a bruise?'."

He also asserted, "When the victim reported the incident to the police by calling 112 and officers arrived at the scene, those who had led the verbal abuse and assault hurriedly left the area," and, "When the police asked for identification, the younger sister of candidate Kim Kiwoong, who was at the scene, responded, 'I don't know who that is,' raising suspicions of aiding and concealing the perpetrators."

He emphasized, "Surrounding and intimidating a female volunteer as a group at the campaign site is a grave act of violence that undermines democracy," and urged, "Investigative authorities must promptly and rigorously investigate the perpetrators."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.