[Summary] "Moving the victim like luggage... Shocking crime" Two students sentenced for 'Incheon group sexual assault'

Prison Sentence Requested by Prosecution: Long Term 10 Years, Short Term 7 Years, Lower Than Expected
Court: "The Method of Crime is Extremely Shocking"
Victim's Mother Submits 청 Petition Urging Severe Punishment for Perpetrator

Two suspects, including A (15), who are accused of gang raping a female middle school student attending the same school, entered the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon City, in April to undergo a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Male students who were prosecuted for gang raping a female middle school student from the same school and taking nude photos of her were sentenced to up to seven years in prison.

The 13th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Ko Eunseol) on the 27th sentenced A (15) to seven years in prison with a minimum of five years, and B (15) to six years in prison with a minimum of four years, on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (rape causing injury). The court also ordered them to complete 120 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and imposed a five-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.

The court stated, "The defendants moved the intoxicated (unconscious) victim like cargo to find a suitable place for the sexual assault, causing injuries such as a concussion, and after the crime, left the victim in the cold winter, which could have led to serious consequences. The method of the crime is very reprehensible and extremely shocking, and the victim suffered severe pain due to this crime."

However, the court explained the sentencing reason by saying, "Considering that the defendants are 14 years old and have only recently passed the age of minority."

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested a sentence of 10 years in prison with a minimum of seven years for them. They also requested the completion of sexual violence treatment programs and a 10-year employment restriction at institutions related to children and adolescents.

At that time, the prosecution explained the reason for the request, saying, "The defendants' crime is a specific violent crime, a serious offense corresponding to a maximum of 15 years in prison. They are fully aware that this crime is a serious offense even though they are middle school students."

They were arrested and prosecuted on charges of forcibly giving alcohol to female student C from the same school around 3 a.m. on December 23 last year at an apartment gym in Incheon, dragging her to the 28th-floor stairs of the apartment, raping her, and attempting to rape her again, causing injury.

Police investigation confirmed that A raped C, while B attempted rape but failed. Additional investigation by the prosecution found deleted records of nude photos of the victim taken on A’s mobile phone at the time of the crime.

Also, the apartment’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) captured the two dragging the unconscious victim.

The case sparked public outrage after C’s mother posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding severe punishment for the perpetrators.

On March 29, the mother of victim Ms. C posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board urging severe punishment for the two perpetrators, receiving over 400,000 endorsements. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Board

In a post on the National Petition Board on March 29, C’s mother stated, "The perpetrators gave my daughter alcohol in their apartment, dragged my unconscious daughter on the ground while giggling, and took her to the top floor stairs of the 28th floor of the apartment where there is no CCTV. During this process, they hit my daughter’s face, spat on her, and raped her in order."

She added, "They mocked my daughter by sending a thumbs-up emoticon to her brother, and one of the perpetrators repeatedly called my daughter and her brother. Because of this, my daughter cried for hours and even attempted self-harm that day."

She continued, "Our family had to sell our house quickly and move, and my daughter transferred schools. We demand strict punishment for these perpetrators to prevent ongoing harm to the sexual violence victim by conducting a thorough investigation and detention." The petition received 400,474 signatures, more than twice the 200,000 required for an official response.