Former Coach Jo Jae-beom Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual Assault Charges... Prosecutors Say "Serious Nature of Crime"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The prosecution has requested the court to sentence former national team coach Jo Jae-beom, who was arrested and indicted for committing sexual crimes against short track skater Shim Seok-hee over a period of more than three years, to 20 years in prison.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 16th at the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 15 (Chief Judge Jo Hyu-ok), the prosecution stated, "The defendant's criminal nature is quite serious," and made this sentencing request. They also requested a 10-year employment ban, 5 years of probation, and residence restrictions.

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentencing request, saying, "The defendant sexually assaulted and molested the victim dozens of times but denies the charges," and "Please consider that the victim desires a severe punishment."

In his final statement, Jo claimed, "I admit to having committed physical and verbal abuse during coaching, but all of it was for disciplinary purposes," and "I have never committed any sexual crimes."

Jo is accused of sexually assaulting or forcibly molesting Shim 30 times at seven locations, including Taereung and Jincheon Athlete Villages and the Korea National Sport University ice rink, from August 2014, when Shim was a second-year high school student, until December 2017, just before the opening of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The prosecution indicted Jo on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse for the allegations that occurred before 2016, when Shim was still a high school student.

Separately from the sexual crimes, Jo was tried for repeatedly assaulting Shim and causing injury, for which he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison in the appellate trial early last year; the sentence was finalized and he served the term.

Meanwhile, Choi Min-jung, a teammate of Shim and a gold medalist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, who was summoned as a witness, did not attend the trial that day.

The court also conducted the entire trial in private to protect the victim's privacy and prevent secondary damage. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for the 26th of next month.

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