'Minor Student Sexual Assault' Allegation Denied by Wang Kichun in Court... Victim Requests Closed Trial

Pretrial Hearing Held for 국민참여재판 Decision
"There Were Romantic Feelings. Consensual Sexual Relationship" Claimed

Former national judo team member Wang Ki-chun.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Former national judo representative Wang Gi-chun (32), who was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a minor student, denied the charges in court, claiming that the sexual relationship was consensual.

At the preparatory hearing held on the 10th at Daegu District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan) to decide whether to proceed with a citizen trial, Wang's lawyer argued, "The defendant and the victim had romantic feelings and engaged in sexual relations consensually."

On the same day, the victim's side requested the court to hold the entire trial process privately, but Judge Lee stated, "Public trials are the principle," adding, "If it is deemed necessary to hold parts of the trial privately during the proceedings, appropriate measures will be taken."

The court plans to hold one more preparatory hearing on the 22nd before deciding whether to proceed with a citizen trial.

Wang was prosecuted on charges of sexually assaulting A (17), a student attending the gym he operated, in February 2017 (violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse).

Additionally, he is accused of having sexual relations with student B (16) at the gym 10 times from August last year to February this year (violation of the Child Welfare Act), and also of attempting to sexually assault B in February last year but failing.

He expressed his desire for a citizen trial at the first hearing held on the 26th of last month.

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