Busan District Prosecutors' Office Concludes Former Deputy Chief Prosecutor 'Not Guilty' of Street Sexual Harassment Charges Against Woman

Overturning Police Indictment Opinion and Dismissing Charges
Prosecutor: "Comprehensive Review Including Only One Instance of Physical Contact"

Footage captured on CCTV of a former chief prosecutor of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office chasing a woman on the night of June 1.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] On the 8th, the Busan District Prosecutors' Office decided not to prosecute a former chief prosecutor accused of forcibly molesting a woman on the street. The prosecution stated that this decision was made after consulting the opinions of the Special Investigation Advisory Committee and the Prosecutors' Citizen Committee.

Former Chief Prosecutor A, who was affiliated with the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, is accused of forcibly molesting a woman in her 20s by placing his hand on her shoulder while she was walking near Yangjeong Station on Busan Metro Line 1 around 11:20 p.m. on June 1.

After the molestation, he followed the victim for several hundred meters and entered a fast-food restaurant with her, where he was caught by police who responded to the woman's report.

A claimed, "After having a dinner gathering with colleagues, I took a taxi home but got off at the wrong stop and was wandering around. I tapped the victim's shoulder once to ask for directions, and I followed her to apologize because she was startled. There was no intention to molest."

However, the police forwarded the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment against former Chief Prosecutor A.

Nevertheless, the prosecution stated, "Although it was late at night, the scene was a crosswalk with six lanes in both directions. The victim raised both hands and stepped back in a posture indicating refusal when she was startled and looked back. There was no evidence that the suspect intentionally followed the victim, and aside from the single tap on the shoulder, there was no physical contact before or after the incident." After comprehensive review, they decided not to prosecute A.

The prosecution added, "While it is difficult to hold the suspect criminally responsible, strict disciplinary procedures will be carried out regarding misconduct as a public official."

Meanwhile, former Chief Prosecutor A, who was affiliated with the Busan District Prosecutors' Office at the time of the incident, was suspended from duty for two months following the incident and has since been reassigned as deputy chief prosecutor at the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office, where he is currently serving.

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