Medical student at Yonsei University caught illegally filming women's restroom 32 times... sentenced to prison in first trial

"Giving the Anxiety That Anyone Can Become a Target of Illegal Filming"

On the 12th, a Yonsei University medical student accused of illegally filming a female college student after hiding in the women's restroom was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A Yonsei University medical student was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial for illegally filming female college students by hiding in the women's restroom.

On the 12th, Judge Gong Seongbong of the Criminal Division 6 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced A (21), a Yonsei medical student who was detained and prosecuted on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming and distribution using a camera, intrusion into a multi-use place for sexual purposes), to one year in prison. In addition, he was ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was restricted from employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for two years.

A is accused of entering the women's restroom at Yonsei University College of Medicine four times on June 17, 20, 21, and last month on the 4th, secretly filming female students a total of 32 times with his mobile phone.

Judge Gong stated, "Considering the crime location, method, relationship with the victims, and the body parts filmed, such as filming victims while they were using the restroom in the women's restroom during enrollment at Yonsei University, the nature of the crime is not light," and added, "Such crimes cause anxiety and social harm by making anyone a potential target of illegal filming without their knowledge, which is highly condemnable."

He continued, "The victims suffered great betrayal and mental shock, including sexual shame, as they were victimized by crime while they should have been focusing on their studies and growth at university."

However, he explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "The defendant reached agreements with the victims, maintains good social relationships, and has made efforts to restore the victims. There is no evidence that the filmed material was distributed."

The prosecution demanded a sentence of three years in prison, completion of a sexual violence treatment program, and a five-year employment restriction for A on the 28th of last month.

On the same day, A’s defense lawyer stated, "The defendant’s ignorance was the cause," and added, "When psychological pressure manifests as abnormal impulses, psychiatric treatment was unable to control the desires."

A also said, "I am very sorry to the victims," and added, "While I, the perpetrator, am struggling, I think about how much harder it must be for the victims, and I will live with lifelong remorse." He further claimed, "For the sake of my parents, the victims, and myself, I will become a new person."

Meanwhile, Yonsei University reportedly held a disciplinary committee regarding A but has been unable to proceed with the process since A’s detention. It is known that A did not register for courses for the second semester of the 2022 academic year.

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