Repeated Indecent Acts at Apartment Library... Prison Sentence Upheld Despite Appeal Claiming "Harsh Punishment"

Photo reporting that a man committed an obscene act in the library / Photo by SNS capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A man in his 20s who repeatedly committed obscene acts at an apartment library in Cheonan, Chungnam, was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

According to the legal community on the 15th, Mr. A (25) entered a residents' library within an apartment complex in Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam on March 26 and committed an obscene act near the children's book display stand.

He was investigated to have committed similar acts seven times over 40 days at the same location from March to May. At that time, Mr. A reportedly also falsified the library entry log.

Mr. A's crimes were revealed through recordings on the library's internal closed-circuit television (CCTV). Additionally, posts requesting reports to "catch this man" were uploaded on social media.

After his CCTV footage was made public through media reports and social media, Mr. A turned himself in to the police.

Judge Shim Hyun-ji of the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court sentenced Mr. A to nine months in prison for public obscenity, but Mr. A filed an appeal against the first trial verdict, claiming "the sentence is too heavy." The prosecution also expressed their intention to appeal, opposing the defendant's claim.

However, the 5th Criminal Appeals Division of the Daejeon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Kyung-hee) dismissed both appeals, stating, "He caused considerable discomfort to witnesses in a place frequented by minors," but also, "Considering that he admitted to the crime and showed willingness to undergo treatment, the original sentence is appropriate."

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