[On-site Video] Juvenile Offender Committed Similar Sexual Assault... "Strict Punishment" vs "Rehabilitation Needed" Debate

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "Strong punishment is necessary." "Rehabilitation is also needed."

A male peer student who committed acts similar to sexual assault and repeatedly threatened a teenage female student is receiving lenient punishment due to being classified as a juvenile offender under the Juvenile Act, prompting the victim’s parents to appeal for this to be stopped.

The perpetrator committed horrific crimes such as filming videos and using them as leverage for threats. However, due to the Juvenile Act system, which inevitably results in lighter punishment compared to the severity of the crimes committed, citizens expressed various opinions. Some argued for strong punishment, while others suggested revising the system to allow for rehabilitation of immature adolescents.

The victim’s parents urged for strong punishment by explaining their daughter’s suffering and the current situation of the perpetrator through a petition board.

On the 27th of last month, a petition titled "I am the mother of the juvenile offender sexual assault victim reported in the news" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner, identified as A, who said she is the victim’s mother, raised her voice demanding "severe punishment for the perpetrators."

In an interview with a media outlet, A said, "(The perpetrator) sent messages saying, ‘I will spread your video.’" She added that her daughter described the victimization as "being hit and touched in a basement-like place, being filmed, and being threatened that if she didn’t come, the video would be spread."

A pointed out that the perpetrator is a juvenile offender under the age of 14, saying, "I am very angry. The victim keeps suffering, while the perpetrator is protected within the boundaries of the law."

In the petition, A stated, "This case is not ‘sexual harassment’ but ‘similar to rape,’" adding, "The threats at the time were so dreadful that they are indescribable. It was truly shocking how children could say and do such things."

She continued, "My daughter trembled with fear that the video might be spread and she would be unable to attend school, feeling scared and sorry about being found out by her parents. How hard must she have been alone?" She said, "We waited for three days for an apology from the perpetrator’s side, but never received a call. They boldly said there was no need to meet, but when we requested a school violence committee and threatened to report to the media, they finally apologized."

She added, "I heard that the perpetrator’s side later hired a lawyer. They must have known that as a juvenile offender under the age of 14, there would be no criminal punishment." She said, "Most charges were admitted during the police investigation, but since the perpetrator is a juvenile offender, the punishment is very weak."

She also said, "The perpetrator was under 14 at the time of the report but is now over 14. It makes me very angry that just a difference of one or two months results in being punished as a juvenile offender." She raised her voice, asking, "Should juvenile offenders really be protected within the law?"

Citizens expressed various opinions regarding the Juvenile Act system, which allows perpetrators of horrific crimes to receive weak punishment.

On the afternoon of the 31st at Seoul Station, a 20-something office worker, A, said, "There are immature adolescents, so strengthening the Juvenile Act system is right," but emphasized, "However, I think violent crimes like this case should be punished as exceptions."

Citizen B (21) said, "I think the Juvenile Act system should be abolished," emphasizing, "It is unfair that young age exempts legal punishment." He added, "I think preventing the victim’s misfortune is more important than giving the perpetrator a chance through the Juvenile Act."

Meanwhile, a 30-something office worker, C, argued that the Juvenile Act system should be partially revised. C said, "I think the Juvenile Act system should be gradually relaxed," adding, "Because the Juvenile Act protects adolescents or friends under 14, there is room for improvement." However, he added, "Since the victim suffers more damage than the perpetrator, I think it is better to focus on a system that protects the victim."

There are also opinions that strong punishment is necessary. Office worker D (25) said, "I think avoiding (appropriate) punishment just because of being a juvenile offender for a crime that ruins a person’s life is actually reproducing such problems," emphasizing, "I was very surprised to hear that some have no hesitation committing crimes by exploiting the juvenile offender status. Appropriate punishment is necessary."