The audio file contains "I hate it" 207 times... A professor in his 60s sexually assaulted a student

Suspect Claims Mental Incapacity and Demands Settlement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The situation during the crime committed by a 60-year-old national university professor, who was prosecuted for sexually assaulting a student under the pretext of comforting her depression, has been revealed. The file recorded by the victim at the time of the incident contained 207 instances of "No," and 15 screams.

On the 16th, the 2nd Criminal Division of Jeju District Court (Presiding Judge Jang Chansu) held the second trial for Professor A (61) of Jeju National University, who was prosecuted on charges of quasi-rape.

The trial that day was limitedly open to the media with the consent of the victim, Ms. B.

During the hearing, the court dismissed the defendant from the courtroom and set up a screen so that the victim could not be seen. A staff member from the Sunflower Center, which supports victims of sexual crimes, accompanied the witness stand.

Professor A approached his student Ms. B, who attended his lectures, twice in March and October last year, expressing a desire to have a meeting.

Ms. B, who agreed to the meeting, confided in Professor A about her panic disorder, depression, and difficult family circumstances. In response, Professor A said he also suffered from the same illness and even introduced medication.

Later, on October 30th last year, Professor A suggested having dinner with Ms. B. At that time, Ms. B, who was suffering from severe depression, said, "Every day, I have thoughts of wanting to make an extreme choice."

Professor A comforted her by saying, "Don't have such thoughts." After finishing the meal, Professor A took Ms. B to a karaoke bar in Jeju City.

During this process, Ms. B, sensing something strange, tried several times to leave, but Professor A forcibly pulled her back inside.

Professor A said, "When I first saw you, you were wearing a skirt and crossing your legs confidently, which I liked," and then sexually assaulted Ms. B.

The situation at that time was vividly captured in a recording file on Ms. B’s mobile phone. According to the court’s analysis of the recording, "No" was recorded 207 times, screams 15 times, and "I want to go home" 53 times.

Professor A’s side mostly admitted to the crime but claimed diminished responsibility, asking the court to consider that he was intoxicated and had symptoms related to mental illnesses such as depression.

Furthermore, immediately after the incident, Professor A sought a settlement to reduce punishment.

Ms. B, who was in a difficult family situation, had to take care of her teenage younger sibling and also had to cover hospital expenses after the rape. Eventually, Ms. B had no choice but to agree to the settlement by accepting Professor A’s settlement money shortly after the incident.

In court that day, Ms. B appealed, "It was an unavoidable settlement. Although the agreement states that I do not want Professor A to be punished, I have never forgiven him nor do I want to forgive him. Please impose a strict punishment."

In response to Ms. B’s statement, the court said, "The victim should gain courage and live well in the future. You should raise your younger sibling well."

Meanwhile, the first trial court, at the first hearing in June, said, "Such crimes must disappear in the Republic of Korea. We will make the defendant an example," and ordered Professor A’s detention in court ex officio.