Kang Eun-il, Cleared of 'Forced Molestation' Stigma, Says "Developed Depression... Can't Return to Previous Life"

Musical actor Kang Eun-il. Photo by Kang Eun-il Instagram

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Musical actor Kang Eun-il (26), who was acquitted of forced molestation charges after the third trial, has shared her feelings.

On the 29th, Kang Eun-il said in an interview with SBS funE, "I don't feel relieved. I do feel like a burden has been lifted. Honestly, standing in front of someone like this was very difficult. The world is scary. That's why I gathered courage with the encouragement from my family to be confident."

Kang Eun-il was indicted in March 2018 on charges of forcibly molesting A, a high school classmate of an acquaintance, in a restaurant restroom while drinking with acquaintances and A. At the time, Kang Eun-il was accused of calling A, who was about to enter a women's restroom stall, and touching her body parts.

A immediately confronted Kang Eun-il and reportedly stated that she argued with Kang Eun-il in front of the restroom sink while trying to leave the restroom. However, Kang Eun-il denied this, saying, "I came out of the men's restroom stall and met A in front of the restroom sink. Suddenly, she kissed me and angrily said, 'Do you think I'm easy? I recorded everything.' When I said if she had a recording, let's go outside and listen to it, and tried to leave, she pulled me back into the women's restroom stall, kissed me, and said strange things."

The first trial sentenced Kang Eun-il to six months in prison and ordered her to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. However, the second trial overturned the guilty verdict of the first trial and acquitted Kang Eun-il. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and on-site verification allowed the inference of the restroom's interior through shadows reflected on the restroom door vent. The reconstructed shadows matched Kang Eun-il's testimony and proved her innocence.

Regarding this, Kang Eun-il explained, "My lawyer told me not to worry, so I went to the sentencing hearing alone, but I was detained in court (in the first trial). I begged, 'Please let me make just one phone call to my mother.' I was detained without anyone knowing."

She added, "I was taking medication for insomnia and depression caused by being in detention, but I recently stopped. Even if the Supreme Court confirms the verdict, I cannot return to my previous life. The label 'not guilty of sexual molestation' will stick with me for life." She continued, "Even if articles come out, people won't be interested in the truth of the case and will split into men's side and women's side to fight, and being at the center of that is hard. I want to shout that I am innocent, but I am afraid that 'real sexual molesters' might misuse my case. I'm scared."

She also said, "I hope judicial institutions judge cases based on the truth, not by gender. I will take civil and criminal legal action against the woman who accused me of sexual molestation." She added, "I hope no one else like me will come forward anymore."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.