SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA)
The Associated Press
March 6, 2018
By Youkyung Lee
A South Korean governor who was seen as a potential presidential candidate has resigned after his secretary accused him of raping her.
A South Korean governor who was seen as a leading presidential contender resigned Tuesday after his secretary publicly accused him of raping her, making him the highest-profile South Korean man taken down by the #MeToo movement.
Ahn Hee-jung, governor of South Chungcheong province, said everything was his fault and he was sorry in an early morning Facebook post announcing his resignation hours after his secretary said in a live television interview that Ahn had raped her several times since June and that she couldn’t say no because of how powerful he was.
The provincial government later confirmed his resignation had taken effect.
Ahn has been a leading progressive voice on gender and human rights in conservative South Korea and finished second behind current President Moon Jae-in during their party primary last year.
The revelations shocked South Koreans, especially supporters who saw him as a likely presidential candidate, and people said on social media that they were too shocked to sleep after the secretary’s accusations were aired. His supporter groups on Twitter and Facebook lamented the misdeeds and announced they would stop activities.
South Korean media reported that police were investigating the allegations. Local police did not respond to calls Tuesday seeking confirmation.
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