[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] The appeal trial of Choi Jong-beom, who was sentenced to probation for threatening and assaulting the late Goo Hara, has been scheduled for May.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Jae-young) confirmed the first hearing date of Choi Jong-beom's appeal trial as May 21.
Choi Jong-beom was indicted on five charges including threats, coercion, injury, property damage, and violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming using a camera, etc.). Choi denied all charges except for property damage.
In the first trial, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation. Assault and threats were established as guilty, but he was acquitted of the charge related to filming using a camera under the Special Act on Sexual Crimes. The court reasoned that although Choi did not obtain explicit consent from Goo, it could not be considered that he secretly filmed against her will.
The court stated, "He assaulted and caused injury to the victim, who was his lover, during their breakup process, and threatened to end her life as a celebrity by reporting a sex video."
It added, "However, considering that the crime was more impulsive than premeditated, the circumstances under which the video was filmed, and the fact that it was not actually leaked or reported."
Displeased with this ruling, both the prosecution and Choi Jong-beom's side filed appeals, and the trial has moved to the second instance.
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