Most Popular
-
1
Korean Air gets European nod to become Northeast Asia’s largest airline
-
2
NewJeans terminates contract with Ador, embarks on new journey
-
3
Ador claims exclusive contracts with NewJeans still valid
-
4
Heavy, wet snow to fall more often this winter
-
5
SNU professors join growing movement calling for Yoon's resignation
-
6
Presidential office criticizes opposition-led state auditor, prosecutor impeachment motions
-
7
N. Korea launches 32nd wave of trash balloons, anti-S. Korea leaflets
-
8
‘NewJeans are no longer under Ador,’ says legal expert
-
9
NewJeans leave for Japan shows day after unilaterally terminating contract with Ador
-
10
Will Min Hee-jin reunite with NewJeans?
윤창중 청와대 대변인이 9일 (현지시간) 박근혜 대통령의 방미일정 수행 중 ‘성추행’ 사건에 연루되면서 전격 경질되었다.
이번 사건은 박 대통령의 방미 수행 도중 발생한데다 취임 당시 척결을 다짐했던 4대악 중 하나로 꼽은 성폭행 사건이라는 점에서 박 대통령에게 큰 타격을 줄 전망이다.
또한 윤 전 대변인이 임명 당시 주변의 반대가 심했다는 점을 감안하면 이번 사건으로 이전부터 야당으로부터 지적되어온 박 대통령의 ‘불통인사’ 논란이 재점화될 가능성도 있는 것으로 보인다.
현지 외교소식통 등에 따르면 윤 전 대변인은 한미 정상회담이 개최된 지난 7일 워싱턴 시내 한 호텔에서 밤늦게까지 술을 마신 뒤 함께 있던 주미대사관 소속 인턴 여성 A씨를 성추행했으며, 사건이 공론화되기 전 귀국했다.
이에 이남기 청와대 홍보수석은 미국 로스앤젤레스 현지에서 브리핑을 하고 “박 대통령이 9일 윤 대변인을 경질하기로 했다”고 공식 발표했다. 이 수석은 경질 배경에 대해서는 윤 전 대변인이 “개인적으로 불미스러운 행위를 해 고위공직자로서의 부적절한 행동을 보이고 국가의 품위를 손상시켰다고 판단했기 때문”이라고 설명했다.
사건과 관련해 워싱턴 경찰은 “한 여성이 56세 남성을 성추행 (sexual abuse) 건으로 신고했다”고 밝혔으며 경찰 보고서에 따르면 “용의자”가 7일 오후 9시 30분에서 10시 사이에 피해자의 엉덩이를 허락 없이 움켜쥐었다(grab)고 한다.
연합뉴스 보도에 따르면 웬돌린 크럼프 워싱턴DC 경찰국 공보국장이 “현재 성추행 사건을 조사중이다”라고 확인한 것으로 알려졌다.
새누리 원래 관계자가 10일 국회에서 밝힌 바에 따르면 윤 전 대변인은 피해여성과의 신체 접촉은 인정하면서도 성추행 의혹은 부인한 것으로 알려졌다.
윤 전 대변인은 “피해 여성성과) 둘이 술을 마신 게 아니고 셋이 마셨다. 성추행할 상황이 전혀 아니었다”는 요지로 청와대에 해명했으며, 경찰 보고서처럼 엉덩이를 움켜쥔 것은 아니고 ‘툭툭 쳤다’고 밝혔다고 한다.
청와대는 이날 아침부터 허태열 비서실장 주재로 회의를 열어 대책을 논의 하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다.
한편 이와 관련해 여야 정치권에서는 철저한 수사를 촉구했다.
새누리당 민현주 대변인은 성추행설은 “절대 있을 수도, 있어서도 되는 일”이라며 “철저한 사실관계 파악과 진상조사를 통해 국민에 한 점의 의혹을 남기지 말아야 한다”고 밝혔다.
민주통합당 배재정 대변인은 “박 대통령과 청와대는 잘못된 인사가 불러온 대한민국의 국격 추락에 대해 깊이 반성하고 국민 앞에 사과해야 한다”면서 청와대 비서실장, 홍보수석에 대해서도 책임을 물어야 하며 강조했다.
민주통합당 박기춘 원내대표는 “이번 사건은 대통령의 불통(不通), 밀봉, ‘나홀로 인사’가 불러 온 예견된 인사참사의 완결판이자 국가적 수치”라고 비판하면서 민주당은 ‘윤창중 성추행 및 국격추락 청문회’를 추진하겠다고 밝혔다.
박 원내대표는 윤 전 대변인의 서울 귀국과 관련해 청와대가 윤 전 대변인이 미국에서 체포되는 걸 막기 위해 도피시켰다는 의혹이 제기된다며 “의혹에 대해 숨김없이 국민에게 알려야 한다”고 촉구했다. 박 원내대표는 또한 박 대통령의 즉각적인 대국민 사과 역시 촉구했다.
새누리당 측에서는 이번 사건을 “개인 사건”이라고 못박으며 “박 대통령 책임론”을 일찌감치 차단하려는 듯한 움직임을 보이면서 “사실 확인이 먼저”라고 강조했다. 새누리당 황우여 대표는 “당으로서는 사실을 더 확인할 부분이 있다”고 밝혔다.
황대표는 야당이 사건을 청와대 인사시스템 문제로 연결짓는 것과 관련, “이번 일이 사실이라면…할말이 없지”라고 말한 것으로 알려졌다. (코리아헤럴드 윤민식 minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)
<관련 영문 기사>
Allegation deals blow to president, taints her first overseas trip
By Lee Joo-hee and Shin Hyon-hee
President Park Geun-hye on Thursday dismissed her spokesman Yoon Chang-jung over allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman during the delegation’s stay in Washington.
The incident dealt a fresh blow to Park, who has repeatedly been criticized for inept personnel appointments. Sexual crime is one of the four social evils that she promised to eradicate.
Park returned on Friday from her six-day visit to the U.S., where she held a summit with President Barack Obama.
Washington police have launched an investigation after a woman filed a sexual abuse claim on Wednesday against an unidentified 56-year-old man, matching Yoon’s age. A preliminary police report showed the suspect “grabbed her buttocks without her permission” between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“We are investigating the report of a misdemeanor sexual abuse. We cannot comment further at this time,” Gwendolyn Crump, director of the Office of Communications at the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, said in an email interview with Yonhap News, without elaborating.
Yoon’s possible involvement was brought up after he was found to have abruptly flown home later that day while the rest of Park’s delegation headed to Los Angeles, the third and last leg of the trip.
Rumors have spread in the Korean community there that he had a drink with and then sexually assaulted a 21-year-old intern working at the Korean Embassy at another hotel.
Hours later, the presidential office announced his ouster.
“The decision was made as it was deemed that Yoon showed inappropriate conduct as a high-ranking official and damaged the dignity of the country by being personally involved in a disgraceful event while accompanying President Park in her U.S. visit,” said Lee Nam-ki, senior secretary for public relations, at a briefing.
Cheong Wa Dae officials are confirming details with the embassy, Lee added.
Yoon was expected to have arrived in Seoul on Thursday afternoon local time, apparently leaving most of his belongings at his hotel room in the U.S. capital. His immediate whereabouts remain unclear.
The ouster of Yoon tarnished Park’s first overseas trip that was aimed to highlight her new government’s reinforced alliance with Washington and promote wider investment despite the North Korea risk.
The former journalist and columnist has been a controversial figure, making his name as a regular commenter on a conservative television network with ultra-right-wing views and often extreme remarks.
While serving as spokesman for Park during her presidential transition period, Yoon took flak from lawmakers from the opposition camp and even her own party for professional ineptitude and insolent attitudes.
But the president pushed ahead to appoint him as a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, inviting further criticism over her inflexibility, lack of communications and airtight decision-making process.
The main opposition Democratic Party called the latest incident a “foreseeable disaster,” demanding Park’s apology.
“The incident damaged national dignity and precipitated international shame. There must be a thorough investigation, punishment for those responsible, and an apology to the victim,” DP senior spokesman Rep. Kim Kwan-young said in a written statement.
“President Park and Cheong Wa Dae have to deeply reflect on the country’s fallen national status caused by their wrong personnel appointment and apologize to the people,” another DP spokeswoman Bae Jae-jeung told a briefing.
The governing Saenuri Party expressed regret, while trying to contain the fallout.
“Though details of the incidents are yet to be disclosed, we regret the fact that an unsavory suspicion had arisen,” Saenuri spokeswoman Rep. Min Hyun-joo said in a commentary.
“But we hope that personal misdeeds will not eclipse President Park’s achievements during her visit to the U.S.”
Yoon’s downfall is likely to put a fresh strain on her fledgling administration that has already been grappling with bungled personnel selections, North Korean threats, lackluster economic growth and other internal and external challenges.
At least a half dozen ministerial and vice-ministerial nominees withdrew after allegations surface over real estate speculation, tax evasion, ethical lapses and other issues. (jhl@heraldcorp.com) (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)
Allegation deals blow to president, taints her first overseas trip
By Lee Joo-hee and Shin Hyon-hee
President Park Geun-hye on Thursday dismissed her spokesman Yoon Chang-jung over allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman during the delegation’s stay in Washington.
The incident dealt a fresh blow to Park, who has repeatedly been criticized for inept personnel appointments. Sexual crime is one of the four social evils that she promised to eradicate.
Park returned on Friday from her six-day visit to the U.S., where she held a summit with President Barack Obama.
Washington police have launched an investigation after a woman filed a sexual abuse claim on Wednesday against an unidentified 56-year-old man, matching Yoon’s age. A preliminary police report showed the suspect “grabbed her buttocks without her permission” between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“We are investigating the report of a misdemeanor sexual abuse. We cannot comment further at this time,” Gwendolyn Crump, director of the Office of Communications at the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, said in an email interview with Yonhap News, without elaborating.
Yoon’s possible involvement was brought up after he was found to have abruptly flown home later that day while the rest of Park’s delegation headed to Los Angeles, the third and last leg of the trip.
Rumors have spread in the Korean community there that he had a drink with and then sexually assaulted a 21-year-old intern working at the Korean Embassy at another hotel.
Hours later, the presidential office announced his ouster.
“The decision was made as it was deemed that Yoon showed inappropriate conduct as a high-ranking official and damaged the dignity of the country by being personally involved in a disgraceful event while accompanying President Park in her U.S. visit,” said Lee Nam-ki, senior secretary for public relations, at a briefing.
Cheong Wa Dae officials are confirming details with the embassy, Lee added.
Yoon was expected to have arrived in Seoul on Thursday afternoon local time, apparently leaving most of his belongings at his hotel room in the U.S. capital. His immediate whereabouts remain unclear.
The ouster of Yoon tarnished Park’s first overseas trip that was aimed to highlight her new government’s reinforced alliance with Washington and promote wider investment despite the North Korea risk.
The former journalist and columnist has been a controversial figure, making his name as a regular commenter on a conservative television network with ultra-right-wing views and often extreme remarks.
While serving as spokesman for Park during her presidential transition period, Yoon took flak from lawmakers from the opposition camp and even her own party for professional ineptitude and insolent attitudes.
But the president pushed ahead to appoint him as a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, inviting further criticism over her inflexibility, lack of communications and airtight decision-making process.
The main opposition Democratic Party called the latest incident a “foreseeable disaster,” demanding Park’s apology.
“The incident damaged national dignity and precipitated international shame. There must be a thorough investigation, punishment for those responsible, and an apology to the victim,” DP senior spokesman Rep. Kim Kwan-young said in a written statement.
“President Park and Cheong Wa Dae have to deeply reflect on the country’s fallen national status caused by their wrong personnel appointment and apologize to the people,” another DP spokeswoman Bae Jae-jeung told a briefing.
The governing Saenuri Party expressed regret, while trying to contain the fallout.
“Though details of the incidents are yet to be disclosed, we regret the fact that an unsavory suspicion had arisen,” Saenuri spokeswoman Rep. Min Hyun-joo said in a commentary.
“But we hope that personal misdeeds will not eclipse President Park’s achievements during her visit to the U.S.”
Yoon’s downfall is likely to put a fresh strain on her fledgling administration that has already been grappling with bungled personnel selections, North Korean threats, lackluster economic growth and other internal and external challenges.
At least a half dozen ministerial and vice-ministerial nominees withdrew after allegations surface over real estate speculation, tax evasion, ethical lapses and other issues. (jhl@heraldcorp.com) (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)
