Ongoing Legal Battle Over "An Hee-jung Sexual Violence"... Kim Ji-eun Urges Chungnam Province to Forgo Litigation Cost Collection

Only a Portion of the Claim Accepted, Leaving Part of the Litigation Costs to Kim
Chungnam Province: "Decision on Collection Will Be Made Separately"

Kim Ji-eun, the victim of sexual violence by former Chungnam Governor An Hee-jung, has officially filed a civil petition with Chungnam Province, asking the province to forgo the collection of litigation costs from her. On the 21st, Kim stated on her social media account, “I have submitted an official petition to Chungnam Province through the e-People petition system,” adding, “I have requested that this matter be brought before the Litigation Deliberation Committee to determine whether to forgo the collection of litigation costs.” She further explained, “I asked that collection be deferred until a decision is reached and requested a response about whether the case will be referred and the schedule for deliberation,” and continued, “If the case is not referred, I have also asked that the reasons and grounds for the decision be provided.”

Former Governor Ahn was prosecuted on charges of sexual violence and forcible molestation against Ms. Kim, who was his executive secretary, and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison by the Supreme Court in September 2019. After serving his sentence, he was released in August 2022. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Previously, on the 18th, Kim also issued a statement demanding that Chungnam Province forgo the collection of litigation costs and refer the issue to the Litigation Deliberation Committee. This controversy arose because, although Chungnam Province was found liable for damages in the civil suit related to former Governor An’s sexual violence case, Kim was not granted the full amount she sought, resulting in her being liable for a portion of the litigation costs.

Former Governor An was prosecuted on charges of sexual violence and forcible molestation against Ms. Kim, his personal secretary, and in September 2019, the Supreme Court confirmed a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months. After serving his sentence, he was released in August 2022. In July 2020, Kim filed a claim for approximately 300 million KRW in damages against former Governor An and Chungnam Province, stating that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the sexual violence and subsequent harm.

In May 2024, the court of first instance ordered former Governor An to pay Kim a total of 83.47 million KRW in damages, and determined that for 53.47 million KRW of this amount, Chungnam Province must share joint liability with him. The court found that former Governor An’s acts of sexual violence were related to the performance of his duties as governor, making Chungnam Province liable for state compensation under the State Compensation Act.

The Seoul High Court, acting as the appellate court, slightly adjusted the total damages that former Governor An was required to pay to approximately 83.04 million KRW in March 2025, but maintained Chungnam Province’s joint liability. As neither Kim, former Governor An, nor Chungnam Province appealed further, the verdict was finalized in April of the same year. However, as the total amount Kim sought in damages was not fully granted, she was left responsible for part of the litigation costs according to the court’s ruling.

Afterward, Chungnam Province applied to the court for a determination of the specific amount of litigation costs Kim must bear. Kim has filed an objection, stating that she disputes certain portions of the court’s calculation. Chungnam Province has stated, “In cases where the province wins or partially wins a lawsuit, we apply to the court for a determination of litigation costs,” and clarified, “After the court sets the amount, whether or not to actually collect or pursue collection is decided separately.”

In fact, the current “Chungnam Province Rules for Handling Litigation Affairs” provides grounds for forgoing the collection of litigation costs. The rules, which have been in effect since August 31, 2026, stipulate that collection may be waived in cases where making the other party bear litigation costs is deemed inappropriate from the standpoint of pursuing public interest or protecting the rights of socially disadvantaged people or minorities. Whether to forgo collection of litigation costs is also subject to review by the Chungnam Province Litigation Deliberation Committee.

Kim is requesting, on the basis of this regulation, that her case be referred to the Litigation Deliberation Committee for review of whether to forgo collection. In particular, Kim stated, “The Chungnam Provincial Government was my workplace and, as a local government, should have protected its employees,” emphasizing, “The litigation costs demanded by Chungnam Province are by no means a small amount. For me right now, this money is urgently needed for my livelihood, medical treatment, and to rebuild my shattered daily life.”

She added, “Spending time and energy on legal procedures inevitably delays my recovery,” appealing to the fact that victims of sexual violence face additional burdens of time and cost when seeking redress through civil litigation. The Korean Women’s Political Network also issued a commentary on the 21st, calling on Chungnam Province to forgo collection of litigation costs. The group urged that requiring victims to pay litigation costs in cases where the province’s liability for state compensation has been recognized could discourage victims from seeking redress for their rights, and called for the issue to be referred to the Litigation Deliberation Committee.

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