Biting Earlobe and Hugging... Boss Who Molested Teenage Part-Time Worker Receives Suspended Sentence

First Trial and Appeal Both Result in 2-Year Prison Sentence with 3-Year Probation
Multiple Victims Including Minors Involved

A man in his 50s who forcibly molested teenage part-time workers at his own store received a suspended sentence in the appellate court, the same as in the first trial.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 27th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Chuncheon Branch of the Seoul High Court (Chief Judge Kim Hyeong-jin) announced that A (52), who was indicted on charges including forcible molestation under the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse, was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year suspension, the same as the original sentence. The court also maintained the original orders for A to complete 120 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures and to be prohibited from working at institutions related to children and adolescents for three years.

Chuncheon District Court · Seoul High Court Chuncheon Branch
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A was on trial for forcibly molesting a teenage part-time worker in March 2020 by touching the worker’s cheek due to a wisdom toothache, biting the earlobe with his mouth, and saying, "Let me weigh you," while interlocking fingers and lifting and putting down the victim. Between March and April 2021, he also molested another part-time worker by touching her chest, inserting his arm into the victim’s armpit while she was washing dishes in the kitchen, and biting her earlobe with his mouth. Additionally, in February 2021, he was charged with stroking the thigh of another part-time worker while driving her in a vehicle.

The first trial court pointed out, "The nature of A’s crimes is very serious, and some of the victims were minors," adding, "The victims are believed to have suffered significant psychological trauma." However, the first trial court gave a suspended sentence considering that A admitted to the charges and reached a settlement with two of the victims. The prosecution appealed, arguing that the sentence was too lenient, but the appellate court upheld the first trial court’s decision, dismissing the appeal.

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