Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam for Pyeongtaek-eul. [Pyeongtaek=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party on the 19th launched an offensive against Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam, who is running in the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election, demanding that he sincerely apologize to the victim and the citizens of Pyeongtaek and immediately resign his candidacy, in relation to allegations that he assaulted a secretary in his office during his previous term as a member of the National Assembly.

Choi Bo-yoon, spokesperson for the central election committee, stated in a commentary, "One who has allegations of violence is not qualified to stand in the hall of public opinion," and demanded Kim's resignation, Yonhap News reported.

Regarding media reports that Kim, during his first term as a lawmaker for the Saenuri Party (predecessor to the People Power Party), kicked a fifth-grade secretary in the shin, causing injury, he said, "The testimony of the former secretary is shocking. What awaited the aides who stayed up all night preparing for a National Assembly event was a ruthless kick delivered with the tip of a shoe," and criticized, "The shin assault on that day 11 years ago was not a mere mistake but a humiliation of a human being and the height of power abuse."

He added, "Candidate Kim's impudent attitude, which belittles the victim even after committing violence, evokes greater anger," and said, "Instead of apologizing to the employee who was assaulted, shed tears of blood, and resigned, he shifted the blame by saying, 'Kids these days lack perseverance.'"

He also stated, "For the past 11 years, candidate Kim has consistently lied shamelessly, perpetuating cruel secondary victimization of the victim," and added, "Despite multiple clear testimonies, he induced a brazen 'truth game' by saying, 'Nothing like that ever happened,' and 'Bring anyone who was hit.'"

The People Power Party Aides Association commented, "Candidate Kim released a statement late, but it contained no sincerity of apology and was full of secondary victimization, such as evading responsibility by saying he would apologize morally but not legally or politically, and shifting blame by criticizing the aides' lack of preparation for their work," and said, "Resignation is the only way to apologize to the victim."