Suspicion of Relationship Between Lover and Monk... 60s Person Who Raided Temple and Threatened Receives Suspended Sentence

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] A man in his 60s who raided a temple suspecting a relationship between his lover and a monk and damaged property was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 21st, the 3rd Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Go Sanggyo) announced that in the appeal trial of Mr. A (64), who was indicted on charges of special trespassing, special property damage, and violation of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, the court sentenced him to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension, the same as the original trial.

The court added that Mr. A was ordered to attend 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures and perform 120 hours of community service. Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of a portable disk (USB) containing videos of Mr. A’s lover, Mr. B, and the monk, which was not included in the original trial’s order.

Earlier, Mr. A was indicted for entering a room at a local temple where the monk resided around 10:40 p.m. on July 25 last year, filming Mr. B and the monk together with his mobile phone, and breaking a glass window and a dining table. Investigations revealed that from March to June last year, he attached tracking devices to the vehicles of Mr. B and the monk to monitor their locations.

At the time, Mr. A threatened Mr. B and the monk with blunt objects and a golf club. He also reportedly threatened Mr. B to immediately repay 30 million won he had lent him or demanded that the monk repay the money on his behalf.

The first trial court stated, "The defendant raided the victims’ room while they were sleeping, carrying dangerous objects," and added, "It appears that he committed the crime in a fit of rage after seeing Mr. B, who is in a romantic relationship with him, seemingly engaging in an illicit act with the monk." The court further ruled, "There are circumstances that mitigate the motive for the crime, and the defendant did not film the victims’ private moments to satisfy sexual desires."

The appellate court stated, "The victims suffered significant psychological shock due to the defendant’s crime and desire severe punishment," but also noted, "The defendant admitted to the crime and waived the claim of 30 million won against victim Mr. B, which partially compensated for the financial damage," explaining the reasons for sentencing.

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