[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Resident Sim Mo, who repeatedly assaulted and verbally abused the late apartment security guard Choi Heeseok, has been sentenced to a heavy prison term by the Supreme Court.
On the 29th, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Cheon Daeyeop) announced that it upheld the original sentence of 5 years imprisonment in Sim's appeal trial on charges including injury.
Earlier, Sim was prosecuted for repeatedly assaulting and threatening security guard Choi at an apartment in Seoul where he resided between April and May of last year. He was accused of assaulting Choi for pushing his private car by hand, locking him in the security guard's restroom to beat and threaten him, and coercing him to resign. He was also charged with demanding medical expenses by claiming 'mutual assault' against Choi, who suffered a nasal bone fracture with a recovery period of three weeks.
Investigations revealed that Sim meticulously committed the crime after checking whether there was CCTV at the scene before assaulting Choi. Ultimately, Choi suffered extreme psychological distress and left a will stating that he had been assaulted and threatened by Sim before making an extreme choice in May of last year.
The first trial court sentenced Sim to 5 years imprisonment, stating, "The victim appears to have been persistently harassed but could not resign due to livelihood reasons." The first trial court emphasized, "Considering the investigation process and courtroom attitude, Sim has not sincerely reflected on his actions," and "He was not forgiven by the victim's family, who are pleading for severe punishment."
The second trial court criticized Sim, saying, "Even in several apology letters submitted by the defendant, he showed a self-rationalizing attitude," and despite the very bad nature of the crime, he only blames others, claiming that the media exaggerated the deceased's false statements or that the prosecution and courts failed to discern the truth. The court then dismissed Sim's appeal, stating, "It is difficult to see the original sentence as excessively harsh or lenient."
The Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment and dismissed Sim's appeal.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
