[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A senior public official of a Seoul autonomous district, who was charged with sexually assaulting a current district council member by hugging her, was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.
According to the legal community on the 27th, Judge Cho Guk-in of the Criminal Division 9 at the Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted on charges of forced sexual assault, to a fine of 3 million won on the 21st. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
Mr. A was prosecuted for hugging the victim with both arms and then kissing the right ear area at a district office event held in front of Seongdong District Office square in November 2019.
Mr. A claimed that the hug was merely a greeting and denied kissing, but this was not accepted.
Judge Cho stated, "Considering that the victim's testimony was consistent and that the victim protested the sexual assault on the day of the incident, yet the defendant offered no explanation other than an apology, the criminal facts are recognized as guilty," and added, "Considering that the defendant was not forgiven by the victim and denied the crime without showing a sincere attitude of reflection."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
