South Korean prosecutors seek warrant to arrest ex-governor

Former South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung speaks to reporters after arriving at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, South Korea, March 9, 2018. An Hee-jung attended the court to face questioning over allegations that he sexually assaulted at least two women, one of whom was his secretary. Photo by EPA-EFE/JUNG UI-CHEL

March 24 (UPI) — Prosecutors on Friday sought a court warrant to arrest former South Chungcheong Gov. An Hee-jung for sex offenses.

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office said it requested the warrant on charges of sexual intercourse and sexual harassment by abuse of occupational authority, citing the risk of him destroying evidence as he has denied the charges.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison or a 15 million won (US$13,000) fine.

The 54-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting his former secretary and another female researcher from a think tank multiple times over the past year.

But the charges that have been made for the warrant only include the ones for the case involving the secretary. An investigation is still under way for the latter victim, prosecutors added.

The secretary, Kim Ji-eun, made the revelation in a TV news interview early this month and filed a complaint with the prosecution.

The Seoul Western District Court will hold a hearing on Monday to decide whether to issue the arrest warrant for An. The decision is expected to be made late Monday afternoon or dawn Tuesday.

An, once a prominent liberal politician who was considered a potential presidential candidate, resigned as governor over the scandal.

He has undergone questioning by prosecutors twice. He apparently denied the charges, saying the sexual relations were consensual.

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