'Real Estate Sales Dormitory Confinement and Assault' Defendants Admit Most Charges in First Trial

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 03 Mar.2022 11:01(KST)

Some Defendants Deny Direct Involvement in the Crime

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Employees of a real estate sales dormitory accused of confining and subjecting a man in his 20s to harsh treatment admitted most of the charges at their first trial.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held the first hearing at 10:20 a.m. on the 3rd for seven defendants, including Park (28), who were indicted on charges including special imprisonment.

At the first hearing, Park, who called himself the team leader within the dormitory, and others stated, "We admit all the charges brought by the prosecution."

However, Yoo (32), who called himself the manager, and Seo (19), the assistant, denied some charges, claiming they were not directly involved in the assault or harsh treatment.

Yoo's lawyer argued, "Although he took the victim to the dormitory by car, he never entered inside the dormitory," and "He was not directly involved in any harsh treatment or assault."

Seo's lawyer also stated, "He was not directly involved in the assault or water torture."

They were prosecuted on charges of causing serious injury by forcing Kim (21), a man in his 20s who escaped from the real estate sales dormitory in a villa in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, at around 10:08 a.m. on January 9, to jump after harsh treatment.

The victim, Kim, entered the dormitory after seeing posts such as "Runaway shelter and meals provided" posted on social media by Won, the spouse of Team Leader Park, in September of last year.

Kim attempted to escape three times but was caught and returned each time, and was subjected to harsh treatment including head shaving, being doused with cold water, assault, and being bound with tape. On the day of the incident, he reportedly fell while trying to cross from the veranda to an external roof.

Six members of the group, including Park, were arrested in connection with this case, while Won's detention warrant was rejected by the court despite the police's reapplication.