Pohang City Official Accused of Sexual Harassment of Pohang Municipal Art Troupe Member 'Sentenced to Prison'...2 Years Imprisonment Exceeds Prosecutor's Demand

Daegu District Court Pohang Branch Sentences 6 Months Longer Than Prosecutor's Recommendation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] A Pohang city official, who was charged with sexually harassing a member of the municipal art troupe under his management and supervision, was sentenced to two years in prison and taken into custody in court.

On the 16th, the Pohang Branch Criminal Division 2 (Judge Kwon Sunhyang) announced that it sentenced Mr. A, who was out on bail on charges of sexual harassment, to two years in prison, which is a harsher sentence than the prosecution's demand, and ordered 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures and a three-year employment restriction at child-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled. At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution had demanded one year and six months in prison.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of continuously sexually harassing a female member of the municipal art troupe under his management for several months in 2019.

The court explained the sentencing reason, stating, "The defendant claims there was an emotional exchange with the opposite sex, but considering the method of harassment, there is no situation that raises suspicion," and "He denies the crime until the end without realizing the seriousness of the offense."