'Underage Student Sexual Assault' Wang Ki-chun Will Not Receive Desired Public Trial Participation

Former national judo representative Wang Gi-chun, who was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a minor student, arriving at Daegu District Court on the morning of the 26th of last month, getting off the escort bus. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Wang Gi-chun (32), a former national judo representative who was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually assaulting underage students, will face a regular criminal trial instead of a citizen participation trial.

The 12th Criminal Division of Daegu District Court (Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan) announced on the 27th that it decided to exclude the defendant's request for a citizen participation trial.

Previously, on the 26th of last month during the trial preparation hearing, Wang Gi-chun expressed his desire for a citizen participation trial, stating, "There is a need to be tried from the general public's perspective."

However, the prosecution and the victim's side opposed the citizen participation trial, citing concerns about "secondary harm to the victim."

Unlike regular criminal trials, in a citizen participation trial, the victim must appear in court and testify about their experience.

Also, although citizen participation trials involve randomly selected jurors who deliver verdicts on guilt and sentencing in an open trial and do not have legal binding force, they influence the court's judgment.

Former judo national team member Wang Ki-chun. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Wang Gi-chun was indicted for sexually assaulting A (17), a student attending the gym he operated, in February 2017.

He is also charged with having sexual relations 10 times with student B (16), who attended the gym, from August last year to February this year (violating the Child Welfare Act), and with attempted sexual assault against B in February last year.

Meanwhile, the Korea Judo Association permanently expelled Wang Gi-chun and imposed a rank deletion (a disciplinary measure removing his dan grade) on May 12.

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