Second Daughter Sexually Assaulted About 200 Times
Lawyer Lee Appeals for Leniency, Citing Poor Health Condition
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A man in his 40s who sexually assaulted his underage daughter more than 200 times and forced her to undergo pregnancy and abortion was sentenced to a heavy prison term in the first trial.
The Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Chief Judge Jang Chan-su) on the 16th sentenced Lee (48), who was detained and prosecuted on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, including rape causing injury, to 30 years in prison. He was also ordered to be restricted from working in child and youth-related institutions for 10 years after release and to undergo probation for 5 years.
Lee is accused of sexually assaulting his second daughter about 200 times at his residence in Jeju Island from September 2012 to May of this year.
He divorced his spouse in 2007 and raised two daughters alone, mainly targeting his second daughter for the crimes. In fact, whenever he had the chance, he called his second daughter to his room and forcibly sexually assaulted her, and during this process, when the second daughter became pregnant, he forced her to have an abortion, according to the investigation.
When the daughter resisted strongly, he threatened her by saying, "If you don't do it, I'll even touch your older sister," and these victimization details were reportedly fully recorded in the second daughter's diary. It was also found that Lee attempted to sexually assault the older daughter but failed due to her strong resistance.
Moreover, it was revealed that Lee took out loans under the names of both daughters to support his living expenses.
After suffering from their father’s abuse for several years, the two daughters confided in their mother about the abuse earlier this year, and with the mother's help, a police investigation was conducted.
Photo by Yonhap News
The court stated, "The defendant, who had the duty to protect the victims, instead used them as objects of sexual desire," and explained the sentencing by saying, "Due to this inhumane crime, one of the victims suffered unimaginable mental and physical pain, including pregnancy and abortion at a young age."
However, the court dismissed the prosecution's request for the installation of an electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) during the sentencing trial, stating, "The possibility of Lee committing sexual crimes against unspecified others again is low."
Earlier, the prosecution requested life imprisonment and the attachment of an electronic anklet at the sentencing trial last month, saying, "The defendant, who should have been a support and shield for his children, inflicted great wounds on them, repeatedly committed domestic violence, and exploited his children."
Lee's lawyer pleaded for leniency, stating, "Lee is a recipient of basic livelihood security and requires dialysis more than three times a week, so his health condition is not good." Lee reportedly shed tears during his final statement, saying, "I reflect as a father and as a human being. I was wrong."
Meanwhile, the two daughters, who are currently receiving psychiatric treatment, requested the court for severe punishment and a restraining order against Lee, saying, "Our father has never asked us for forgiveness."
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