Former Dongguk University Professor Found Guilty Again in Second Trial for False Accusation After Being Sued for Defamation Following Student Sexual Assault Allegation Disclosure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A former university professor who sued his students for defamation after they accused him of sexual harassment was found guilty of false accusation in the appellate court.

The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Appeals Division 1 (Chief Judge Jeong Gye-seon) on the 24th upheld the original sentence, sentencing former Dongguk University professor Kim (59), who was charged with false accusation, to six months in prison with a two-year probation and ordering 120 hours of community service.

Kim was put on trial for falsely accusing his students of defamation after they revealed through media outlets in 2016 that they had been sexually harassed and sexually assaulted by him during a book club. On February 1, the first trial court sentenced Kim to six months in prison with a two-year probation and ordered 120 hours of community service.

Kim’s side appealed, claiming the sentence was too harsh, while the prosecution appealed, arguing the sentence was too lenient.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant denied the charges in the first trial, but confessed during this appeal, making it impossible to uphold the original verdict," and overturned the first trial’s ruling to re-sentence.

The court added, "The crime of false accusation severely infringes on the state's criminal justice function and puts victims at risk of unjust criminal punishment, thus requiring strict punishment," and noted, "The victims suffered significant mental distress while being investigated by authorities due to the defendant’s false accusations."

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