Woman Wearing Stockings Targeted in Ink Terror Attack... Repeat Offender in His 20s Sentenced to Prison

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A man in his 20s who splashed ink on women's stockings in public places such as subway stations was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 19th, Judge Jeon Kyung-se of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 9 sentenced Mr. A, a man in his 20s, to two years in prison on charges of forcible molestation, property damage, and violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (sexual purpose intrusion into multi-use places).

The court also ordered him to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and imposed a five-year employment restriction at institutions related to children and adolescents and welfare facilities for the disabled.

Mr. A is accused of splashing black ink on two women climbing stairs at a subway station in Seoul around 10 p.m. on May 17.

It was also investigated that Mr. A entered the women's restroom to retrieve the stockings stained with ink when the victim took them off in the restroom.

This is not the first time Mr. A has committed such crimes.

Previously, Mr. A was convicted and sentenced to fines and four months in prison for splashing pre-prepared ink on women wearing stockings.

However, it was reported that he committed similar crimes again after being released in September 2018.

He is also accused of forcibly molesting a woman climbing stairs at a subway station in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, last March.

Judge Jeon said, "Although the value of the damaged property in this case is minor, since the defendant committed the crime against women wearing stockings to gain sexual satisfaction, it should be treated differently from general property damage crimes."

He added, "The mental damage suffered by the victims cannot be considered light, and such crimes cause anxiety and fear of using public transportation among an unspecified number of women, which is highly condemnable."

However, he explained the sentencing reason, saying, "The defendant's promise to receive psychiatric treatment and his reflection on his wrongdoing are favorable circumstances, and the recommended sentencing range according to the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission's guidelines was taken into consideration."