Composer Jeong Babi, Accused of Illegal Filming, Sentenced to 1 Year in First Trial

Law: "Secret Filming of Victims Likely Causes Mental Shock"
Not Guilty on Some Charges Including Assault

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Composer Jung Babi (real name Jung Dae-wook, 41), accused of secretly filming his ex-lover's body, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the 14th at 10 a.m., Judge Gong Seong-bong of the Criminal Division 6 at the Seoul Western District Court held a sentencing hearing for Jung, who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (illegal filming and distribution using cameras, etc.) and assault, and sentenced him to one year in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from working at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for five years.

Accordingly, the court detained Jung in custody.

The court stated, “The defendant illegally filmed the victim’s face, neck, shoulders, and other body parts without consent,” and judged that “the victim suffered significant psychological shock and is demanding severe punishment.” However, the court also noted, “There is no evidence so far that the filmed materials were distributed, and the defendant has no prior record of similar crimes,” as mitigating factors in sentencing.

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on October 19, the prosecution requested a prison term of three years and six months for Jung, stating that “despite the first victim (who has passed away), a second victim emerged, showing no remorse at all.”

At that time, Jung’s defense argued in the final statement, “Jung filmed videos when meeting the victim with good feelings, but never secretly filmed,” and claimed innocence, saying, “He never filmed against the victim’s will.” Regarding the assault charges, they admitted to the assault in August 2020 but denied the assault in July of the same year, adding, “The August assault was not a one-sided attack as stated in the indictment.”

Jung was indicted in 2019 for secretly filming the body of his ex-lover and aspiring singer A. A claimed that Jung also sexually assaulted her and confided in acquaintances about the harm, later taking her own life the following year. Jung is also accused of assaulting and secretly filming another victim B from July to September last year.

The police began an investigation following a complaint from A’s bereaved family, forwarding the case with a prosecution opinion for illegal filming but a non-prosecution opinion for rape causing injury; however, the prosecution dismissed the charges. Subsequently, after an appeal by the bereaved family, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, which was investigating B’s case, reopened the investigation into A’s case and indicted Jung.

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