Professor at Seoul National University accused of sexual harassment applies for citizen trial: "Is stepping on feet sexual harassment if it causes shame?"

On the morning of August 26 last year, Silvia Kim held a solo protest in front of the Seoul National University Administration Building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, urging the dismissal of Professor A from the Department of Spanish Language and Literature at Seoul National University, ahead of the final disciplinary committee decision regarding Professor A.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] A former Seoul National University professor, who was indicted on charges of sexually harassing his graduate student, has denied all allegations and requested a citizen trial.

On the 8th, Judge Seongwan Jeong of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 14 decided to hold a future hearing to determine whether to refer the case for a citizen trial, following a preliminary request from the defense of Professor A, a former Seoul National University professor in the Department of Spanish Language and Literature, who was indicted on charges of forcible molestation.

After the trial, A’s defense attorney met with reporters and explained the reason for requesting a citizen trial, saying, "There are some differences in the circumstances of the case, and there was no intent to molest," and added, "We want the public to judge whether this is truly an act of sexual harassment or just physical contact without molestation charges."

He further stated, "Not all physical contact should be considered sexual harassment," and added, "If someone feels sexual shame from having their foot stepped on, we want to receive a judgment on whether all physical contact can be considered sexual harassment based on such subjective perceptions."

Earlier, Professor A is accused of sexually harassing his student Kim Silvia by putting his hand inside her clothes and forcibly linking arms with her while attending foreign academic conferences together from 2015 to 2017, during his tenure at Seoul National University.

Kim, who completed her master's degree at Seoul National University and was pursuing a doctoral program in the United States, reported Professor A’s sexual harassment to the university’s Human Rights Center. However, dissatisfied with the insufficient disciplinary action, she returned to Korea in June last year and filed a complaint with the prosecution. The police, who investigated the case, forwarded Professor A to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment in October last year, and the prosecution brought him to trial.

Seoul National University dismissed Professor A in August last year through the faculty disciplinary committee.