Seoul National University Professor Sentenced to Probation in First Trial for 'Sexual Harassment of Student'... "The Nature of the Crime Is Not Good"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A Seoul National University professor who was prosecuted for repeatedly sexually harassing a graduate student has been sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

Judge Lee Jun-min of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 16 handed down a sentence on the 17th of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with a 3-year suspension to Professor Lee of Seoul National University, who was charged with sexual harassment by abuse of authority under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures and was banned from employment at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for 5 years.

The court stated, "The defendant, who should set a social example, committed sexual harassment against the victim, a student, by abusing his authority at work, which is a serious offense," and added, "The victim has suffered considerable mental distress and desires punishment for the defendant."

Professor Lee was charged with repeatedly sexually harassing graduate student A by touching A’s thigh in his laboratory at the end of 2016.

After the harassment, A reported the sexual harassment to the Seoul National University Human Rights Center. After verifying the facts, Seoul National University excluded Professor Lee from lectures and suspended him from his position in 2017, then formally referred him to the faculty disciplinary committee in 2018.

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