'Colleague Sexual Assault and Photo Distribution' 20s Police Officer Appeals... Claims "Consensual Sexual Relations"

Male Trial Sentencing (PG)
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] A police officer in his 20s from a police station in Jeonbuk, who was charged with sexually assaulting a fellow officer and distributing secretly taken photos, has filed an appeal against the first trial verdict.

According to the Jeonju District Court on the 17th, Police Officer A (26), who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (rape) and sentenced to imprisonment, submitted an appeal on the 14th.

The first trial court sentenced him to 3 years and 6 months in prison, stating, "Considering the severity of the crime and the fact that the victim suffered mental shock and trauma to the extent that normal life became difficult."

Officer A admitted to defamation charges in the first trial court but denied the rape charges.

In the appeal submitted through his lawyer, Officer A claimed, "While admitting to the charges of photographing and distributing the photos, the sexual intercourse was consensual." As evidence, he cited the fact that the victim did not report the incident for 15 months after it occurred and that they attended drinking gatherings together.

However, the court rejected Officer A's claim, stating, "It is judged that the victim did not report the defendant because she did not want the fact of unwanted sexual intercourse to be known to colleagues or others."

Officer A was charged with overpowering and sexually assaulting fellow police officer B, who worked at the same police station, in August 2018, and secretly photographing B lying down and distributing the images via mobile phone.

Additionally, Officer A is also accused of defaming the victim by telling police colleagues twice, in February and June of last year, that he had slept with B.

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