"Just an Expression of Affection" Biological Father Sexually Abusing Young Daughters When They Fall Asleep or Bathe

A father in his 50s who sexually assaulted his two young daughters was sentenced to prison in the appellate court following the first trial. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] A father in his 50s who sexually assaulted his two young daughters after divorce was sentenced to prison in the appellate court, following the first trial.

On the 7th, the Gwangju High Court announced that in the appeal trial of Mr. A (52), who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (quasi-forced molestation within family relations), the court dismissed the defendant's appeal and sentenced him to six years in prison, the same as the original sentence.

The appellate court also upheld the original court's order for Mr. A to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and a five-year employment restriction at child and youth-related institutions and facilities for the disabled.

Mr. A is accused of sexually assaulting his two daughters (under 13 years old) at his home in April and July 2019. He had been raising the two daughters since 2017 after divorcing his wife.

Investigations revealed that Mr. A secretly sexually assaulted his daughters while they were asleep or during their baths.

In court, Mr. A denied the charges, stating, "It was a natural expression of affection toward my daughters. I had no intention to sexually assault them."

However, the first trial court stated, "The defendant used his power or the victims' inability to resist to molest his biological daughters under 13 years old, which is a serious crime," and added, "Considering that he is their biological father who has the responsibility to protect and properly raise the victims, committing such an inhumane crime is highly condemnable," sentencing him to six years in prison.

Mr. A appealed, citing unfair sentencing among other reasons.

The appellate court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "The defendant claims he only touched his daughters' bodies while bathing them without intent to molest, but the victims' counseling records confirm continuous molestation," and "Although only one crime was prosecuted, there appears to be other unprosecuted offenses, so the first trial's sentence is not considered excessively harsh."

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