A man in his 20s given probation for having sexual relations with an elementary school student met through a random chat app

24-year-old Mr. A accused of having sexual relations with 11-year-old Ms. B at a motel in Gyeongbuk last May... 'Age awareness' at the time of the crime

On the 25th, the Jeju District Court's 2nd Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Jang Chan-su) sentenced A (24), who was indicted on charges of statutory rape of a minor, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] A man in his 20s who had sexual relations with an elementary school student he met through a random chat application (app) was sentenced to probation.

On the 25th, the Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Jang Chansu) sentenced A (24), who was indicted on charges of statutory rape of a minor, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 3 years of probation.

Along with this, he was ordered to undergo probation and was restricted from employment at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for 3 years.

A is accused of having sexual relations with B (11), whom he met through a mobile phone random chat app at a motel in Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk Province, last May. It was revealed that A committed the crime knowing B's age at the time. According to criminal law (statutory rape of a minor), a person aged 19 or older is punished if they have sexual relations with a minor under 16. The crime is established even if consent is obtained during the act or if there is no violence or threat.

During the trial, A's defense attorney reportedly appealed for leniency, stating, "The defendant was raised by his grandmother from a young age due to his parents' divorce. His family circumstances are not good. Nevertheless, he has lived relatively diligently."

The court stated the reason for sentencing, saying, "The defendant had sexual relations with a very young victim who was only 11 years old, which is highly condemnable," but also "considered that the victim and the defendant reached an amicable agreement and that the victim does not wish for punishment." Immediately after the sentencing, the court advised A, "Please do not commit crimes in the future and live as a respectable adult."

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