40s Female Teacher Who Had Inappropriate Relationship with High School Student Pupil... "I Will Apologize for Life"

Published 28 Jan.2022 19:38(KST)

Sentenced to 1 Year and 6 Months in Prison

Incheon District Court. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A former female teacher in her 40s, who was charged with sexually abusing a male high school student by engaging in sexual relations, received a suspended prison sentence in the appellate court, the same as in the first trial.

On the 28th, the Criminal Appeals Division 3 of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Han Dae-gyun) sentenced former teacher A (46), who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse by workers at child welfare facilities), to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension, the same as the first trial.

Additionally, A was ordered to perform 160 hours of community service and attend 80 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures, and was restricted from working at child and youth-related institutions or welfare facilities for the disabled for 5 years.

Previously, A was charged with sexually abusing student B multiple times while working as a teacher at a high school in Incheon from 2019 to 2020. At the time of the offenses, A was B’s homeroom teacher.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant committed an unforgivable act as an educator at the time of the crime," and added, "She must continue to reflect deeply throughout her life."

The court also said, "Considering the circumstances leading to the crime and the relationship with the victim," but noted, "The original sentence does not appear to exceed a reasonable range of sentencing, so the prosecutor’s appeal is dismissed."

Meanwhile, at the sentencing hearing of the appeal held in December last year, the prosecution requested a 5-year prison sentence, stating, "The victim suffered irreparable severe psychological trauma, and the victim’s parents are pleading for severe punishment."