Busan Film Festival announces findings that former executive committee chairman “subjects to sexual harassment in the workplace” on suspicion of sexual violence… Heo Moon-young says “It was not intentional”

The Busan International Film Festival announced that it had received an investigation result regarding the allegations of sexual violence by former executive chairman Heo Moon-young, saying that it was “serious and constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace,” and that it would improve the organizational culture to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future. On the other hand, former executive chairman Heo Moon-young refuted the Busan Film Festival’s statement, saying, “The judgment that it was intentional cannot be accepted.”

On the 19th, the Busan International Film Festival announced a statement regarding the results of the sexual harassment case at the Busan International Film Festival workplace. The film festival announced on May 31st of last year that it had received a report through the ‘Korea Film Gender Equality Center Deumdeun’ on June 5th after becoming aware of the occurrence of a ‘sexual harassment and sexual violence incident in the workplace’ through a media report.

The film festival then defined this incident as a ‘sexual harassment incident in the workplace’ that occurred while the respondent (former executive chairman Heo Moon-young) was working at the film festival, and for an objective and professional investigation, the Busan Sexual Violence Relief Center, an external specialized organization, Busan Cultural Center. It was reported that a fact-finding investigation was entrusted to the Arts World Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Counseling Center”).

The counseling center formed an investigation committee and a deliberation committee in accordance with the case investigation and handling procedures to conduct a fact-finding investigation and deliberation. However, the counseling center formed an investigation committee that included lawyers from a law firm and labor attorneys from a labor law firm, but the respondent requested that the investigation agency be changed to a law firm or a labor law firm due to guarantees of expertise and objectivity, and did not respond to several investigation recommendations, so the investigation was unavoidable. It was said that the investigation was conducted on the reporter and references.

The counseling center explained that the reporter expressed his intention to change the investigation agency and cooperate with the subsequent reinvestigation in response to the respondent’s continued refusal to investigate, but this did not happen due to the respondent’s refusal.

The counseling center reported that the investigation committee determined that it ‘corresponds to sexual harassment in the workplace’ based on the fact that the reporter’s statement was specific and consistent and that the specific statements of the witnesses were consistent with each other. Accordingly, the Busan International Film Festival announced that as a result of the review committee decision in December last year, it was notified that it was ‘serious and constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace.’

After the incident, the Busan International Film Festival conducted a thorough investigation of all employees, a gender equality campaign, and preventive education such as in-depth education, and announced that it would improve the organizational culture to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future. To this end, we first revised the Articles of Incorporation to strengthen the responsibilities and qualifications of executives to ensure that there are no blind spots in preventing sexual harassment, and announced that we would revise the regulations on prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace and reporting and counseling procedures. Second, in the event of an incident, they said they would do their best to protect victims by supplementing regulations, including victim protection measures, prevention of secondary damage, and victim support. Third, in order to create a gender-equal organizational culture and handle cases responsibly, a dedicated organization will be designated and grievance counselors will be required to complete specialized training. Fourth, they will strengthen practical sexual harassment and violence prevention training by dividing them into executives and positions.

The Busan International Film Festival said, “We sincerely apologize to the victim for the incident occurring in a workplace that should be gender equal and safe. We also apologize for the shortcomings in protecting the victim and the initial investigation process. “I would like to apologize once again,” he said, bowing his head. He added that he would like to apologize for causing disappointment and concern to the Busan International Film Festival staff and everyone who loves the Busan International Film Festival.

Meanwhile, former executive chairman Heo Moon-young requested the following when the results of the investigation and deliberation are publicly announced or posted in the name of the film festival, and his position statement was also delivered on this day.

Former Executive Chairman Heo said, “The Busan International Film Festival requested the Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center to investigate this report, but the respondent (Heo Moon-young) requested a law firm or labor law firm to conduct the investigation due to the guarantee of expertise and objectivity. They requested changes and did not respond to the investigation. Accordingly, we would like to state that the results of the investigation and deliberation of this report were derived solely from the investigation of the reporter and reference persons.”

Also, regarding the results of the deliberation, former Executive Chairman Heo said, “If there was a case where something of mine unintentionally caused discomfort to the other party, I would accept full responsibility for it,” adding, “However, it is true that it was continuous and intentional.” “I cannot accept judgments, especially judgments that are intentional in asserting my inner will,” he said.

He continued, “I have had a period of self-reflection to humbly look back on my life since I finally stepped down from my position as executive chairman out of concern about the damage the controversy surrounding me would cause to the film festival, and I will continue to do so for a considerable period of time. “I would like to once again apologize to the many people who have unexpectedly caused concern,” he added.

Reporter Jeon Hyeong-hwa brofire@edaily.co.kr