Suspended Sentence for Former Aide of Lawmaker Accused of 'Colleague Sexual Harassment'

A former parliamentary aide who was charged with sexually harassing a colleague during a company dinner was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 5th, Judge Kim Jae-eun of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 13 sentenced former aide A, who was charged with forcible molestation and other offenses, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

A was also ordered to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and 120 hours of community service.

The court stated, "Considering that the victims gave detailed and consistent statements from the investigative agencies and suffered significant harm from this incident, it is judged that there is no reason to risk making false statements," and added, "All charges of forcible molestation and insult that occurred inside the pub are recognized as guilty."

However, regarding the charge that A grabbed the wrist of one of the victims, the court acquitted him, stating, "There is room to see that the grabbing was intended to restrain the victim's actions, so it is difficult to view it as an act infringing on sexual freedom."

A was indicted for touching the bodies of two victims at a karaoke room after drinking with fellow aides in September 2022 while working as an aide to Kim Min-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

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