Teenagers Pretending to Be Remorseful in Court, Laughing Outside... All Sentenced to Prison

Court: "Being a boy does not guarantee forgiveness"

Teenagers were sentenced to prison for allegedly luring men by using underage prostitution as bait to extort money and valuables.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Teenagers who tried to extort money from men by luring them with the bait of child prostitution were all sentenced to prison terms.

The Jeju District Court's 2nd Criminal Division (Chief Judge Jang Chan-su) on the 10th sentenced seven individuals, including A (18), who were detained and tried on charges of robbery and injury, violation of the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, etc. (joint extortion), among other charges.

The main offender A was sentenced to 4 years in prison with a minimum of 3 years, and another main offender B (20) was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The remaining five teenage males and females received suspended prison sentences of 1 year in prison with 2 years probation.

They are accused of luring men who intended to purchase sex to a motel in Jeju City twice on June 9 and 19 last year through a mobile phone chat app, then extorting money by filming videos with a mobile phone and threatening them with weapons.

Investigations revealed that some defendants delayed time by conversing or having sexual relations with the men who purchased sex, while the other defendants raided the scene and threatened to report the prostitution. In addition, they were also charged with detaining and assaulting victims they knew, extorting money, and driving a car without a license in Seoul.

Previously, the defendants submitted letters of apology more than 100 times until the sentencing trial on December 16 last year, pleading for leniency. However, it was revealed that one defendant vented by loudly cursing at correctional officers in the transport vehicle returning to the detention center right after the trial. Another defendant was found to have caused a disturbance in the police station detention center and laughed saying, "They fell for the act of pitying in front of the judge," right after the pre-trial detention hearing.

Upon learning this, the presiding judge scolded the defendants harshly during the sentencing trial following the decision trial. The court said, "You seem to have thought it would be okay because you are first-time offenders and juveniles, but absolutely not," raising their voice, "Do not think you will be forgiven just because you are juveniles."

They added, "The defendants are here because they abused the law," and explained the reason for sentencing by saying, "All will be judged with criminal punishment."