Two senior researchers at the Constitutional Court have been reported to the police on suspicion of stalking and sexual assault. ⒸHanmi Ilbo 

Two senior researchers at the Constitutional Court, the last bastion of constitutional protection, have been reported to the police on suspicion of committing sexual offenses against female researchers within the court.

The civic group "Jayeon Daehan Hogukdan" (Representative Oh Sang-jong) announced on the 20th that it had filed a police report against two chief researchers within the Constitutional Court for violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and charges of indecent assault, in relation to suspected sexual misconduct within the court.

According to the complaint, "This incident, which occurred at the Constitutional Court, a fortress of constitutional protection, is a grave crime that has undermined the organization's discipline and severely violated the human rights of the victims. Accused 1 repeatedly contacted a female constitutional researcher over several months, demanding to meet."

This behavior persisted despite the other party explicitly expressing refusal, and it falls under the definition of "an act that causes anxiety or fear to the other party" as stipulated in Article 2 of the Stalking Punishment Act.

Furthermore, it stated, "Accused 2, about three years ago, during an internal workshop at the Constitutional Court, was intoxicated and inappropriately touched multiple female constitutional researchers. Although the victims raised issues at the time, there are suspicions that the case was hushed up without disciplinary proceedings." It was pointed out that, "This is a criminal act committed by abusing hierarchical authority during work, which fully meets the elements of indecent assault. A thorough investigation is also needed into the circumstances of an attempted cover-up without taking appropriate action at the time."

Oh Sang-jong, the representative of Hogukdan, criticized, "The seriousness of this matter is so great that the Constitutional Court has decided on disciplinary action for the first time since its establishment, and it is a clear example of moral decay within the court."

He further stated, "This incident, in which the public service ethics expected of senior officials at the nation's highest judicial body were abandoned and the human rights of female researchers were violated, goes beyond a mere individual deviation and is a crime that has undermined the organization's public interest values." He added, "If, in addition to the facts revealed through media reports, additional criminal acts or organized attempts at concealment are uncovered during the investigation, all those involved must face the stern judgment of the law."

He also urged, "The investigative agencies must swiftly and thoroughly investigate to reveal the truth of the case, and the perpetrators must be severely punished."

The civic group Jayeon Daehan Hogukdan (Representative Oh Sang-jong) has filed a police report against two chief researchers within the Constitutional Court for violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and charges of indecent assault, in relation to suspected sexual misconduct within the court. ⒸHanmi Ilbo 

Reporter Lim Yo-hee