Korean police investigating more than 40 #MeToo accusations
  • 6 years ago
Staying with the wind of change brought on by Korea's own "MeToo" movement.
The number of investigations into cases of sexual harrassment and assault, many involving high profile figures continues to grow.
Among the accused is renowned theater director Lee Youn-taek, scheduled to be summoned by the police this week.
Park Ji-won has the latest.
Korean police are investigating more than 40 people accused of sexual assault and/or sexual harrassment.
This week, they'll be summoning 65-year old theater director Lee Youn-taek, one of Korea's most prominent playwrights and theater artistic directors.
Lee is accused by 16 women,... all from theatrical circles,... who claim that Lee sexually assaulted them at different times between 1999 and 2016.
Lee has been banned from traveling overseas,... and police have interviewed 10 of the 16 accusers so far.
On Sunday,... the police conducted raids searching for evidence at Lee's residence in Seoul and at theater studios and offices related to him.
They have also launched a preliminary investigation into renowned film director Kim Ki-duk.
The international award-winning filmmaker now faces multiple accusations of rape and sexual assault.
Three actresses claim that they were raped and assaulted either at film sets or in hotel rooms.
Kim is reportedly abroad now,... and has said there was no coercion in his relationships with the women,... but the police have been in touch with the accusers as they investigate.
52-year old actor Cho Jae-hyeon is also accused of rape on the set of a Kim Ki-duk film,... plus other incidents of sexual harassment,... which the police are looking into.
Starting this Thursday, the police will launch a special task force to streamline the complicated process of investigating sex-related crimes.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.
Recommended