"Give Me Back the Money I Spent on You"…Causing a Scene at Ex-Partner's Workplace

by Yun Seulgi

Published 03 Feb.2022 16:33(KST)

Court: "Serious nature of the crime... Victim appears to have suffered considerable mental distress"

A man in his 20s who went to his ex-girlfriend's workplace, threatened her with a weapon, caused a disturbance, and sent threatening messages was sentenced to prison.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A man in his 20s was sentenced to prison for threatening his ex-girlfriend with a weapon at her workplace and repeatedly sending threatening messages via cellphone.

The Incheon District Court Criminal Division 5 (Judge Oh Beom-seok) sentenced A (22) to six months in prison on the 3rd for charges including special threats, violation of the Stalking Punishment Act, and obstruction of business.

The court stated, "The defendant admitted to all the crimes, showed remorse for his wrongdoing, and the victim expressed that she did not wish to press charges."

However, the court explained the sentencing by saying, "The defendant's criminal nature is poor, and it appears the victim suffered considerable mental distress."

Earlier, A was indicted for threatening B (19), his girlfriend, by stabbing a desk with scissors and verbally abusing her at a clothing store in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, where B works, around 5:25 p.m. on October 26 last year.

Investigations revealed that A committed these acts after B, with whom he had been dating for about three years, notified him of their breakup.

A received 300,000 won in cash from B, saying, "The money I spent on you is a waste. Give it back." However, even after receiving the money, A did not leave and caused a disturbance by verbally abusing customers and kicking bowls containing food at the store. Later, police who arrived on the scene arrested A for violating the Stalking Punishment Act, but A also sent about ten threatening text messages to B.