Another Employee Denies Charges of Aiding and Abetting
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A public official accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate at a drinking party admitted to the charges at the first trial. However, an employee who was charged with aiding and abetting the sexual harassment after witnessing it denied all allegations.
The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Sang-joo) held the first trial on the 19th for A and B, employees of Geumcheon-gu Office in Seoul, who are charged with special quasi-forcible sexual assault under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and C, who is charged with aiding and abetting the special quasi-forcible sexual assault.
At the trial, A’s lawyer stated, "We admit all the facts of the indictment." The lawyer for B, who was also indicted, said, "We have not finalized our position and will provide our opinion by the next trial date."
However, C’s lawyer, who is accused of aiding and abetting, denied the charges, saying, "We acknowledge the behavior shown on the closed-circuit television (CCTV), but question whether the defendant’s series of actions constitute aiding and abetting special quasi-forcible rape or assault."
A and B were indicted on charges of forcibly sexually assaulting a female subordinate who worked at the same district office from the night of May 17 to the early morning of May 18.
It was investigated that they committed the crime while intoxicated after moving to a community center at 10 p.m. during a drinking party, drinking whiskey, and targeting the female subordinate who was in a state of intoxication and unable to resist.
C, who was present at the scene, is accused of aiding and abetting by leaving the community center without taking any action despite witnessing the forcible sexual assault. C is also charged with assaulting the intoxicated and staggering female subordinate.
The victim filed a complaint with the police against A and B for forcible sexual assault, and during the investigation, the police identified C’s aiding and abetting charges and investigated him as well. All of them were detained during the police investigation.
Geumcheon-gu Office reportedly suspended A and B from their positions on July 5, and C on July 21.
Meanwhile, their second trial is scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. on the 2nd of next month.
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