Police Officer Couple Both Receive Suspended Prison Sentences for Mutual Assault

Repeated Physical Altercations During Relationship
Filed Criminal Complaints Against Each Other... Both Dismissed

A police officer couple who assaulted each other and became embroiled in a legal battle have both received suspended prison sentences from the court.

On July 11, Suwon District Court Criminal Division 1 Single Judge (Presiding Judge Oh Heungrok) sentenced a man in his 40s, identified as A, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (assaulting a driver) and assault, according to Yonhap News. The court also sentenced a woman in her 30s, identified as B, who was indicted on the same charges, to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension. Both A and B filed criminal complaints against each other for assault and stood trial together. It was reported that both have been dismissed from their positions in connection with the incident.

Suwon District Court building. Photo by Yonhap News

An investigation found that A and B, who were in a romantic relationship and both police officers, visited a tourist site in South Korea in October 2022. There, they argued over the admission fee and physically assaulted each other, engaging in multiple altercations. Additionally, in March 2023, A punched B in the face after B mentioned having reported A to their superiors for assault and other misconduct, saying, "My life is ruined because of you." B was charged with repeatedly hitting A's right arm with a hand holding a mobile phone while A was driving in June 2022.

The court pointed out to A that "he assaulted B, who was his romantic partner, over a considerable period, frequently used abusive and insulting language during the process, and the degree of violence was severe." Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "While there was some aspect of mutual violence between the couple, it is difficult to evaluate the violence inflicted on each other as equal, considering the age and rank differences and the significant disparity in physical condition between the two." However, the court also noted, "It appears that both have dedicated a long period of service as police officers, and many colleagues have appealed for leniency, which was taken into account as a favorable factor." Regarding B's sentencing, the court stated, "Except for the act of assaulting A while he was driving, B has admitted to the remaining offenses, and some of the acts appear to have been committed in response to or provoked by A's violence, abusive language, and insults."