[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 20s who was prosecuted for repeatedly pressing his ear against the doors of officetels to eavesdrop and record sounds of couples having sexual intercourse was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.
According to the court on the 10th, Judge Heo Jeongin of the Seoul Central District Court recently sentenced A (29, male), who was charged with trespassing, to a fine of 7.5 million won.
Previously, A was prosecuted for going around officetels in the Gwanak-gu area of Seoul in the early morning of July 25, 2020, pressing his ear against the entrance doors of each unit and eavesdropping on sounds coming from inside. It was investigated that since July 2018, he had been entering the shared entrances of officetels and recording sounds of couples having sexual intercourse inside when he heard them, storing the recordings.
It was confirmed that A had a prior record of receiving a conditional suspension of prosecution with education for violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (filming using a camera, etc.) in 2016. A conditional suspension of prosecution means that although the charges are acknowledged, the prosecutor decides not to indict the suspect considering various circumstances.
Judge Heo reprimanded A, saying, "Considering the mental suffering the victims must have endured, the nature of the crime cannot be seen as light, especially given the prior conditional suspension of prosecution."
However, he added, "The defendant admits to each offense and is making efforts to prevent recidivism by receiving treatment due to poor mental health. The family has also submitted a petition stating they will do their best to prevent reoffending. Considering that the defendant is a first-time offender and is aware that more severe punishment and social isolation will follow if he reoffends, these sentencing factors were taken into account."
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