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Rep. Jang Kyung-tae of the Democratic Party holds a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on November 30 to address reports of sexual misconduct allegations against him. / Source: Yonhap News

Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae publicly denied on Saturday allegations that he sexually harassed a National Assembly aide, saying “no misconduct occurred” and announcing plans to file a criminal complaint for false accusation.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, Jang said he had been invited by an acquaintance to a dinner gathering with aides from another lawmaker’s office at an open-door jokbal restaurant in Yeouido. “There was no harassment. A man suddenly appeared and became violent, so I left in a hurry,” he said. “Police were called to the scene. If this had been harassment, I would have been questioned — but I never was.”

The alleged victim, identified as aide A, filed a police complaint on November 25 accusing Jang of quasi-forcible molestation in connection with the incident more than a year earlier. The man who appeared at the restaurant was A’s boyfriend, Jang said.

Jang argued that the following day, he exchanged messages with others who were present. “They told me the real problem was A’s boyfriend, an aide to the People Power Party’s Dongdaemun District Office chief,” he said. “They were worried because A, who they said was a victim of confinement and assault by her boyfriend, couldn’t go to work the next day. She was even undergoing psychological treatment. Yet more than a year later, she suddenly filed a complaint. It raises questions about intent and motive. I will file a complaint for false accusation to uncover the truth.”

He also said he would file a complaint with the Press Arbitration Commission against certain media outlets that reported on the case. “TV Chosun severely damaged my reputation with reckless reporting,” Jang said. “The first report blurred the part where A placed her hand on my shoulder. Later reports manipulated the angle to make it look like my arm was moving toward her. At this point, it’s not reporting — it’s staging.”

The ruling People Power Party criticized Jang, accusing him of intimidating the alleged victim. PPP lawmaker Joo Jin-woo said, “Jang Kyung-tae is threatening the victim with a false-accusation charge to protect his flimsy political career. His brazenness comes from the power he wields. No victim would have any reason to initiate physical contact with the very person she’s accusing.”

Regarding why he abruptly fled the scene that night, Jang said, “I felt I was about to be caught up in an ugly situation and thought it was best to leave.”