'Gorilla Man' in Seoul Itaewon Halloween Illegal Filming, Prosecution Deferred

Prosecutors Recognize Video Calls as Illegal Filming

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A foreign man accused of illegally filming the body of a woman dressed up for Halloween Day in Itaewon, Seoul, has received a suspended prosecution.

According to the legal community on the 27th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office issued a suspended prosecution to Mr. A last month on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, etc. (filming using a camera, etc.). Suspended prosecution means that although there is sufficient evidence of the crime, the prosecutor decides not to prosecute after comprehensively considering the suspect's prior record, the extent of the victim's damage, the terms of any settlement, and remorse.

Mr. A is accused of illegally filming the body of a woman dressed as a bunny girl in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on October 31 of last year. This case became known after a video appeared on YouTube and online communities showing a man dressed as a gorilla seemingly filming the back of a woman dressed as a bunny girl.

The police received the victim's complaint in November last year and began an investigation, identifying Mr. A as the suspect and conducting an inquiry.

During the police investigation, Mr. A stated, "It was not illegal filming; I was video calling with my family," but also admitted, "It is true that I video called while showing the victim."

However, the prosecution considered that video calling also constitutes filming, and recognized Mr. A's actions as illegal filming. A prosecution official said, "Although the charges are acknowledged, considering various circumstances such as reaching a settlement with the victim, a suspended prosecution was issued."

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