"Will Prove Innocence"... Seoul District Councilor Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges

"Consensual Sexual Intercourse"... Denies Charges
Decision on Detention Expected as Early as This Afternoon

Seoul Central District Court. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The decision on whether to detain Mr. A, a current member of the Seongdong-gu Council in Seoul accused of sexually assaulting a female employee at an entertainment establishment, will be made today.

Judge Shin Young-hee, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for Mr. A starting at 10:10 a.m. on the 2nd. After the hearing, Mr. A responded to reporters' questions, saying, "I will cooperate sincerely with the investigation and prove my innocence," when asked if he admitted to the sexual assault charges. He remained silent when asked if he instructed his associates to keep watch.

Mr. A is accused of sexually assaulting a heavily intoxicated female employee at an entertainment venue in Seocho-gu, Seoul, last April, violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (special rape). It is reported that Mr. A committed the crime while three of his associates were keeping watch. Mr. A denies the charges, claiming the sexual encounter was consensual.

The decision on Mr. A's detention is expected to be made as early as this afternoon.

Mr. A was formerly a member of the Democratic Party but has since left the party and is currently an independent. Although he submitted his resignation to the Democratic Party on the 8th of last month, the Seoul branch of the Democratic Party held a disciplinary committee meeting and resolved to expel him.

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