Former Seoul National University Professor Accused of Sexual Harassment of Student Found Guilty of Unauthorized Entry into Dormitory

Sexual Harassment Not Prosecuted Due to Insufficient Evidence
Fine of 3 Million Won for Trespassing Charge

A former Seoul National University College of Music professor who was dismissed over allegations of sexually harassing and assaulting a graduate student was found guilty of unlawfully entering the student's residence.

On the 4th, Judge Lee Hwa-song of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 6 sentenced former Seoul National University College of Music professor A (64) to a fine of 3 million won for trespassing.

A was accused of unwanted physical contact with the victim, a graduate student, between 2018 and 2019, and in July 2019, during an overseas business trip to a European academic conference, forcibly opening and entering the student's lodging after repeatedly attempting to call the student late at night. He was referred to the prosecution in September 2020 on these charges.

The prosecution, after investigating the case, decided not to indict A on other charges such as sexual assault due to insufficient evidence, and only applied the trespassing charge, issuing a summary indictment with a fine of 3 million won. The victim appealed this decision, but the appeal was rejected.

However, the court that took over the case had a different stance. In April of last year, the court referred A to a formal trial.

The court stated, "Considering that the defendant entered the hotel room against the victim's will, and taking into account their relationship, gender, age, and the time of the visit, the act is highly blameworthy," adding, "The victim suffered significant shock, quit their assistant position, and still seeks punishment."

The court further said, "Although the other charges that were not indicted cannot be directly linked to the trespassing charge, it cannot be concluded that the victim filed a false accusation," and "While the victim's statements are inconsistent, it is difficult to dismiss the claim that the victim felt fear and was in a confused state when the defendant suddenly appeared at dawn, which affected their memory." Additionally, "The defendant claims that he got lost trying to find the hotel and asked for help after finding the victim's room, which the victim opened wide, but the victim's testimony that she took a defensive stance when the male defendant knocked on the door at dawn is more credible," the court added.

Meanwhile, Seoul National University's disciplinary committee dismissed A in December 2021 based on the Human Rights Center's investigation, which found that A forcibly entered the victim's lodging and caused sexual humiliation. A is currently suing Seoul National University to overturn the dismissal.

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