Prosecutors Demand Prison Sentences for Geumcheon District Office Officials Accused of Sexual Harassment of Female Subordinates

Two Employees Convicted of Sexual Harassment Sentenced to 5 and 7 Years
Employee Aiding and Abetting Faces 3-Year Prison Sentence

Geumcheon District Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has requested the court to impose prison sentences on public officials who were indicted for sexually harassing a female subordinate at a drinking party.

On the 15th, during the sentencing hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Lee Sang-joo) for A and B, who are charged with special quasi-forcible molestation under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and C, who is charged with aiding and abetting special quasi-forcible molestation, the prosecution made this request.

On that day, the prosecution sought prison terms of 7 years and 5 years for A and B respectively, and 3 years for C. Additionally, the prosecution requested all defendants to be subject to completion orders, public notification of personal information, and a 7-year employment ban at child, adolescent, and disabled welfare facilities.

The prosecution argued, "A and B have admitted all charges, which have been proven by evidence. Although C denies the charges, CCTV footage shows that C assisted the molestation and facilitated the crime, constituting aiding and abetting. Assault was also confirmed, so guilt is recognized."

They continued, "A molested the victim over six hours from the community center to the taxi, showing a serious nature of the crime. A selectively claims to not remember only the criminal acts during the events of that day, showing a lack of remorse. The victim also suffers severe mental distress and demands strict punishment."

Furthermore, "B actively participated in the crime by hugging the victim, showing a serious nature of the offense. C, as a superior, witnessed the crime but took no action and even supported the perpetrator, facilitating the crime, showing no signs of remorse," the prosecution emphasized.

During the trial, A made a final statement, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the victim who suffered great pain due to my wrongful actions. I reflect on my mistakes every moment. I will live a life of lifelong apology and contribution for the wrongs I committed. I ask for one chance."

B said, "As a father raising two daughters, I cannot forgive myself for doing such a thing to the victim, who is a precious daughter of a family. Although it is far from the victim’s pain, I deeply reflect with a heavy heart in detention."

C also stated, "If I had not called the victim to the drinking party that day, if we had left without going to the community center, if I had stayed until the end and safely sent the victim home, this would not have happened. However, I clearly state that I did not witness or recognize the victim being molested at the community center. I ask for a wise judgment so that I am not stigmatized as having aided or abetted sexual harassment or assault of a subordinate."

The sentencing hearing for these individuals is scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 13 next year.

Earlier, A and B were indicted for forcibly molesting a female subordinate working at the same district office from the night of May 17 to the early morning of May 18. C was additionally charged with aiding and abetting after it was confirmed during police investigation that C was present at the scene of the molestation.

All were detained during the police investigation, and Geumcheon District Office suspended A and B on July 5, and C on July 21.

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