High School Sports Coach Fined for Student Corporal Punishment and Parent Sexual Harassment

Gwangju District Court Sentences Fine of 15 Million Won
"Crime Committed Against Victims in Vulnerable Positions"

A high school sports team coach who punished a student and sexually harassed the student's mother at a company dinner was sentenced to a fine.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 23rd, the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Go Sang-young) announced that Mr. A (55), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (aggravated punishment for child abuse by workers at child welfare facilities) and for forcible sexual assault, was sentenced to a fine of 15 million won. The court also ordered Mr. A to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and imposed a three-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.

Gwangju District Court Exterior View

Mr. A, who worked as a coach for a high school sports team in Gwangju, hit his student B on the buttocks with sports equipment in January last year because B was playing around by pushing a cart with a friend. He was also accused of hitting B on the crown of the head with his fist, claiming that B's socks were dirty.

Mr. A was also tried on charges of sexually harassing B's mother. In May last year, during a dinner with parents, Mr. A separately called B's mother outside the restaurant. While talking about B and his mother, Mr. A touched the victim's waist twice. The victim's parent reported Mr. A to the police immediately after the incident. It was reported that the high school where Mr. A worked did not renew his contract.

The court pointed out, "The defendant committed the crime against victims who were in relatively vulnerable positions, which is a serious offense." Regarding the sentencing, the court stated, "Although the victims are pleading for severe punishment, considering the degree of abuse, the defendant's full admission of the crime in court, and his remorse, the sentence was determined."

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