Claims of Accidental Crime... Superior Accused of Aiding Still Denies Charges
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A public official accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate at a drinking party admitted to the charges again at the second trial. However, he denied that it was a premeditated crime, claiming it was an impulsive act.
The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held the second trial on the 2nd for A and B, employees of the Geumcheon District 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, a Grade 7 public official, stated, "I admit all the facts of the indictment as in the first trial." B's lawyer, a Grade 6 public official, also said, "We admit most of the prosecution's facts," but added, "However, the part of the indictment that claims we conspired with A in advance to commit the crime is not true." They argued that the crime was committed impulsively while supporting the intoxicated victim. They further emphasized, "We acknowledge the joint crime, but we ask for consideration that it was not a planned crime."
On the other hand, C, a Grade 5 public official who was also indicted for aiding and abetting, continues to deny all charges. The prosecution claimed that C called the victim to the drinking party, made her drink until she was heavily intoxicated, and took no action while A and B committed the crime. The prosecution stated, "Despite being a superior, C did not fulfill the duty to protect the intoxicated subordinate."
In response, C's lawyer requested to review and copy the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the scene to exercise the right to rebut. However, the victim's lawyer opposed this, citing concerns about external leakage of the CCTV copies and the victim's distress. The court coordinated with the prosecution to provide sufficient time and place for the defense to review the CCTV footage.
Previously, A and B were indicted for forcibly sexually assaulting a female subordinate working at the same district office from the night of May 17 to the early morning of May 18. C was additionally charged with aiding and abetting after police investigations confirmed that he was present at the scene of the assault.
All of them were detained during the police investigation, and the Geumcheon District Office suspended A and B on July 5 and C on July 21.
Meanwhile, the next trial date for them is scheduled for the afternoon of the 30th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
