'Elementary Student Confinement and Sexual Assault' 20s Male Denies Charges in First Trial, Claims "Thought Victim Was a High School Sophomore"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 20s accused of detaining and sexually assaulting an elementary school student denied the charges at his first trial, claiming he had no intent to commit statutory rape of a minor.

At the first hearing on the statutory rape charge held on the morning of the 10th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Jo Seongpil), the defense of Mr. A made this argument.

Earlier, Mr. A was indicted and detained on charges of calling elementary school student Ms. B, whom he met through a Facebook community related to runaway youths, to an officetel in Jung-gu, Seoul, sexually assaulting her, and detaining her for nearly 11 hours.

In court that day, Mr. A's defense admitted to the sexual intercourse itself but argued that Ms. B deceived him by claiming to be a second-year high school student, so he was unaware she was an elementary school student. The defense contended that Mr. A had no intent to commit a crime against a minor.

The court scheduled a second hearing on the 17th of next month and decided to summon the police officers who responded to the scene for witness examination.

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