"“I only hit a little” Suspects of confinement at adoption dormitory fall apart in court"

Team Leader Park and 3 Others Admit All Charges
3 Suspects Claim "Low Involvement in 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 in their first trial.

However, some employees tried to evade responsibility by claiming their involvement in the crime was minimal, and the coordinated behavior seen during the crime was nowhere to be found.

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

At the first trial, Park, who called himself the team leader within the dormitory, stated, "I am the homeowner and the eldest brother," and "I admit all the charges brought by the prosecution." Won (23), his wife, also tearfully said, "I admit all the charges."

Oh (21) and Choi (26) also stated that they admit all the charges.

However, Yoo (32), who called himself the manager, and Seo (18), 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."

In response, Kim's (23) lawyer belatedly argued, "He did not avoid involvement in the crime, but his participation was very minimal or passive."

They were indicted on charges of causing serious injury by forcing Kim (21), 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.

At that time, 7 to 8 people related to the real estate sales business, including team members aged 16 and 20, were living in the villa.

Kim, who found the dormitory after seeing Won's post titled "Providing food and lodging for runaways" on an internet community, attempted to escape three times but was caught and returned each time. He was subjected to harsh treatment such as head shaving, pouring cold water, assault, and tape binding, according to the investigation.

Ultimately, Kim is known to have fallen while trying to cross from the veranda to the outside roof on the day of the accident.

Park and six others were arrested in connection with this case, while Won's arrest warrant was dismissed by the court despite the police's reapplication.

The next trial for these defendants is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the 29th.

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