20s Sentenced to Probation for Blackmailing and Assaulting Sexual Minorities by Exploiting Their Vulnerabilities

A (28, female) and B (26, female), who were indicted for violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Transactions (coercion into prostitution) and the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (joint assault), were each sentenced to 10 months and 6 months in prison, with a 2-year probation period. Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Two women in their 20s who threatened and assaulted a peer they met at an LGBTQ+ cafe, and forced self-harm due to broken promises, were sentenced to probation.

The Gwangju District Court announced on the 8th that A (28, female) and B (26, female), who were indicted for violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic (coercion into prostitution) and the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (joint assault), were each sentenced to 10 months and 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years.

A and B were charged with grabbing the hair of C, an LGBTQ+ individual they met through a lesbian cafe in mid-January last year, pushing C into a public phone booth five times for "smoking cigarettes and picking up snacks," and repeatedly kicking C's side and legs.

They were also charged with forcing C to self-harm by handing over an eyebrow razor while saying, "Since you haven't quit smoking, harm yourself."

It was investigated that they exploited C's dependence on them by threatening to reveal C's involvement in prostitution, creating a coercive atmosphere.

The court explained the sentencing by stating, "Based on evidence and testimonies, the joint assault is recognized," and "The act of handing over the eyebrow razor also constitutes a threat."

However, the court acquitted A and B of the charges of coercing C into prostitution seven times and embezzling 610,000 won due to lack of evidence.

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