Charges include inappropriate physical contact and secondary harm to victim

Prosecutors secured call recordings, KakaoTalk messages as evidence

Independent lawmaker Jang Gyeong-tae holds a press conference at the National Assembly's media center on Sept. 3, claiming the video footage used in reports about the sexual misconduct allegations against Jang was "targeted filming with intent." [Yonhap]
Independent lawmaker Jang Gyeong-tae holds a press conference at the National Assembly's media center on Sept. 3, claiming the video footage used in reports about the sexual misconduct allegations against Jang was "targeted filming with intent." [Yonhap]

Independent lawmaker Jang Gyeong-tae has been indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a secretary.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecution Service's dedicated unit for crimes against women and children announced Friday that it had indicted Jang without detention on charges of quasi-forcible indecent assault and violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, including breach of confidentiality obligations.

Jang is accused of making inappropriate physical contact with a staff member, identified as A, who worked in another lawmaker's office, at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, in October 2024.

Jang also faces charges of secondary harm to the victim — allegedly revealing during a media question-and-answer session that A was a National Assembly staff member.

Jang has denied the allegations, filing a counter-complaint against A on charges including false accusation and requesting that a police investigative review committee be convened. Both the committee and police, however, concluded that the quasi-forcible indecent assault charge applied to Jang.

The Seoul Central District Prosecution Service transferred the case to the Seoul Southern District Prosecution Service in April, citing jurisdictional grounds. The receiving office reviewed police investigation records, questioned those connected to the case, and had footage captured by an on-site witness analyzed. Prosecutors also obtained additional evidence, including recordings of phone calls and KakaoTalk message logs related to the incident.

In June, the Seoul Southern District Prosecution Service summoned A's partner for questioning as a reference witness. On Monday, prosecutors also met with Jang as part of the process of determining whether to bring charges.


newday@heraldcorp.com