Middle and High School, University Alumni Detained and Forced into Prostitution
2145 Cases of Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation Material Production
Subjected to Beatings, Sleep Deprivation, and Harsh Acts Like Cold Water Baths
A, who confined a school alumnus and forced them into prostitution, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in the appellate court. C, the cohabiting partner charged with the same offense, and D, who assisted the crime, were sentenced to 8 years and 2 years in prison, respectively. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] A woman in her 20s who confined a school alumna, forced her into prostitution, and subjected her to cruel treatment leading to her death was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
The Criminal Division 3 of Suwon High Court (Presiding Judge Kim Seong-su) on the 25th sentenced A (27) to 27 years in prison on charges including unlawful confinement resulting in death, forced prostitution, abduction for prostitution, and violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes on Concealment of Criminal Proceeds. She had been sentenced to 25 years in the first trial, but the sentence was increased by 2 years on appeal. She was also ordered to complete an 80-hour sexual violence treatment program and was banned from employment in child, youth, and disability-related institutions for 10 years.
The appellate court stated the reason for sentencing: "The victim was subjected to the defendant’s brutal acts, violating the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, forced into prostitution, lived a life like a slave, and ultimately faced death."
A forced B (then 26, female), her schoolmate, into prostitution 2,145 times from December 2019 to January 2021 and embezzled approximately 300 million won generated during this period.
A installed home cameras in B’s house and monitored her in real-time using a location-tracking application. If B failed to meet the daily set amount through prostitution, A would call her to her house and subject her to cruel acts such as cold water baths, beatings, and sleep deprivation.
She was also charged with taking about 3,800 sexually exploitative photos of specific parts of B’s body.
The two attended the same middle and high schools and university and were known to have worked together.
A exploited B’s dependence on her and intimidated her by claiming to have backing from a violent organization to force her into prostitution.
A deceived B’s parents by telling them that B was voluntarily engaging in prostitution and that she was taking care of her to stop it, cutting off communication between B and her family.
B could not endure the cruel treatment and fled to her hometown for hospitalization, but A forcibly brought her back to Seoul, confined her again, and forced her into prostitution. Eventually, B’s health deteriorated, and she died from hypothermia during a cold water bath.
Meanwhile, the court sentenced cohabitant C, who was also charged with the same crimes, to 8 years in prison, and D, who aided the crime, to 2 years in prison.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
