"You're My Wife... Can't Date Other Men" 50-Year-Old Man Sexually Assaulted Stepdaughter for 12 Years Since She Was 9

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A man in his 50s who sexually assaulted his stepdaughter for 12 years was sentenced to 25 years in prison. It was reported that he committed the crimes starting when his stepdaughter was a minor, at the age of 9.

On the 27th, the 11th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Kang Dongwon) sentenced Mr. A (54), who was indicted for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (rape of a minor under 13) and other charges, to 25 years in prison.

Mr. A was tried on charges of continuously sexually assaulting the victim, his stepdaughter Ms. B, from 2009 when she was 9 years old until 2021, spanning approximately 12 years.

According to legal sources, since 2002, Mr. A had been the stepfather to Ms. B and her siblings, including Ms. B’s mother Ms. C, caring for two sons and one daughter. Later, Mr. A and Ms. C had four children together, raising a total of seven children.

However, Mr. A exercised violence against the family members including Ms. B, and especially harassed and assaulted Ms. B severely.

During this time, Mr. A threatened that if Ms. B refused his demands, he would kill the entire family or sexually assault her younger sister.

In 2009, when Ms. B was 9 years old and sleeping at home, Mr. A approached her and sexually assaulted her, saying, "Be quiet. I’m doing this because I love you." From then until August 2021, it was confirmed that he sexually assaulted or forcibly molested her a total of 343 times.

As a result, Ms. B became pregnant at the age of 14 and had to undergo an abortion, and during the years of abuse, pregnancy and abortion occurred once more.

But Mr. A’s crimes did not stop there. He installed a location tracking app on Ms. B’s cellphone to monitor her so she could not meet other men.

Mr. A also threatened Ms. B, saying, "You are pregnant with my child, so you are my wife. Act like my wife," and "If you meet another man, I will kill you."

This case came to light when the victim, Ms. B, who had become an adult, confided in an acquaintance about Mr. A’s crimes in August of this year.

The court stated, "The defendant overpowered the victim with violence, mercilessly hitting her cheeks to the point that she lost consciousness when she refused sexual relations, and then raped her. The victim’s biological mother neglected this," and added, "Due to these crimes, the victim became pregnant twice and underwent abortions, including the first pregnancy at age 14."

Furthermore, "The victim was too afraid of retaliation to seek help and had to endure physical and mental suffering alone," and "Although the victim pleaded for severe punishment of the defendant, she still lives in fear that the defendant might retaliate against her if released," the court added.

The court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "Although the defendant admitted wrongdoing and has no prior record of similar offenses or punishments exceeding fines, the crimes in this case are so horrific that they are difficult to even mention or recall," and "Considering the lifelong physical and psychological damage inflicted on the victim, a heavy sentence is inevitable."

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