16-Year-Old Brother Sexually Assaulted 12-Year-Old Sister... Sister Pleaded for Leniency but 'Received Prison Sentence'

Demand for Sexual Intercourse Even During Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A high school student accused of sexually assaulting and molesting his 12-year-old younger sister for several years was detained in court during the first trial.

On the 10th, the 12th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Lee Young-ho) sentenced A (18) to 3 years in prison with an additional 2 years of probation for charges including statutory rape of a minor, violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (molestation by deception), and violation of the Child Welfare Act. He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.

A called his younger sister B (14) to his room multiple times from December 2019 to March last year and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. In February and March 2020, A also sexually assaulted B. In April of the same year, he committed a crime by entering the bathroom while B was showering alone, saying, "I want to use the bathroom."

Despite B continuously expressing her refusal, A is known to have molested his sister by touching her body until March last year.

When the police began their investigation, the siblings were separated. However, it was reported that A forced B to have sexual intercourse again even while under investigation.

Before the first trial sentencing, B conveyed to the court that she did not wish for her brother to be punished. However, the court said, "No matter how much we consider the impact on the defendant and the victim's family, there is no other way but to impose a prison sentence," and detained A in court.

The court explained, "It is acknowledged that the defendant is a first-time offender and shows remorse for his crime, that the victim does not wish for punishment, and that as a juvenile, he had difficulty controlling his sexual impulses. However, the victim, who is in puberty, has suffered great emotional and psychological pain due to the defendant's crime, and such wounds are unlikely to heal over time."

Furthermore, the court stated the reason for sentencing: "Especially considering that the defendant, even while under investigation and separated from the victim's residence, met the victim temporarily and recklessly demanded sexual intercourse again, severe punishment is inevitable."