'50s Stepfather Who Led 2 Female Middle School Students in Cheongju to Extreme Choices Denies Sexual Crimes'

A citizen is laying down a bouquet to commemorate the middle school girls found dead in an apartment in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A man in his 50s, Stepfather A, accused of committing sexual crimes against his middle school-aged stepdaughter and her friend, driving them to death, has completely denied the sexual crime charges.

The Criminal Division 11 of Cheongju District Court (Chief Judge Lee Jinyong) held the first trial on the 23rd for A, who was detained and indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (rape). The trial was held behind closed doors to protect the rights of the victims.

A is accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter B and her friend C. He is also charged with repeatedly abusing B.

On this day, A denied all sexual crime charges in the prosecution's indictment and reportedly only admitted to the charge of child abuse for making B and C drink alcohol.

A's wife and B's biological mother has also been sent without detention on charges of emotionally and physically abusing her daughter (violation of the Child Welfare Act). She came to attend A's trial but was reportedly ordered by the court to leave the courtroom.

Earlier, the police began an investigation after C's parents filed a complaint in February confirming the sexual assault. However, B and C jumped to their deaths from the rooftop of an apartment in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju City, on May 12 while the investigation was ongoing. The police detained and sent A for prosecution in June after their deaths.

Following the incident, a post demanding severe punishment for A was uploaded on the Blue House's public petition board, gaining over 200,000 signatures, the official threshold for a response from the Blue House. In response, the Blue House stated, "We will keep in mind the will of the people and continue thorough investigations and victim protection."

The next trial for A will be held on September 15 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 223 of Cheongju District Court.