Choi Jong-beom, who assaulted and threatened the late Goo Hara, sentenced to 1 year in prison [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The late Goo Hara's older brother, Goo Ho-in, expressed regret over the Supreme Court ruling on the assault and hidden camera charges against the deceased's ex-boyfriend, Choi Jong-beom, while also stating, "Since it is a Supreme Court ruling, I will accept it."
In an interview with Star News on the 15th, Goo Ho-in said, "Implicit consent and tolerance in a romantic relationship are separate concepts, and I feel this ruling did not sufficiently consider the special nature of romantic relationships, which is regrettable."
He added, "However, since it is a Supreme Court ruling, I respect, accept, and acknowledge it."
The Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Park Jeong-hwa) upheld the second trial's sentence of one year imprisonment for Choi, who was indicted on charges including illegal filming, assault, and threats.
Goo personally witnessed the Supreme Court ruling announcement along with his lawyer on the same day.
Choi was tried on five charges including assault, threats, coercion, property damage, and violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (illegal filming using cameras). In the first trial, he was sentenced to one year and six months in prison with a three-year probation, but in the second trial, he was sentenced to one year imprisonment and was taken into custody in court.
In the first trial, Choi denied all charges except property damage. Accordingly, the first trial court acquitted him only on the illegal filming charge and found him guilty on the other charges.
Regarding this, the first trial court explained, "It is true that the defendant filmed without the victim's consent, but at that time, the victim did not stop the filming, and it cannot be considered secret filming. There is also a video filmed by the victim on the defendant's phone, and the victim did not delete it immediately. The defendant did not distribute or report this video, nor did he use it to demand money or cause the victim sexual humiliation."
Subsequently, accepting the prosecution's appeal that the sentence was too light, the court in the second trial sentenced Choi to imprisonment. However, the second trial also acquitted him of the illegal filming charge.
Goo stated, "Given the weak punishment for dating violence cases, I hope this ruling will serve as an opportunity to change social awareness regarding this issue."
Meanwhile, the late Goo Hara was found dead at her home in Cheongdam-dong on November 24 last year while preparing for the appeal trial.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
