BY AFP

A former South Korean Presidential contender was found not guilty on all charges on Tuesday in a trial stemming from allegations he raped a female aide several times, prompting immediate controversy.

The case involving Ahn Hee-Jung who before the scandal was widely seen as a strong candidate to replace President Moon Jae-in when his term ends in 2022 is by far the highest-profile in the country's growing #MeToo movement.

Ahn was acquitted of forced sexual abuse, sexual intercourse by abuse of authority and other charges by the Seoul Western District Court.

"I am sorry and I am so ashamed," he said on the courthouse steps.

"I have disappointed many. I will make efforts to be born again," he went on, as women's rights activists shouted "It's not over yet!" at him. 

South Korea remains socially patriarchal despite its economic and technological advances, with a male-dominated legal system often accused of handing out verdicts favouring men in sex abuse cases