'Real Estate Sales Dormitory Detention and Assault' Defendants Sentenced to 2 to 6 Years in First Trial

Court: "Most victims reached settlements... Sentencing based on degree of involvement in the crime"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Employees of a real estate sales dormitory who were accused of confining and subjecting a man in his 20s to cruel treatment were sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held a sentencing hearing at 11 a.m. on the 14th for seven defendants including Park (28), who was charged with special imprisonment and other charges, and sentenced self-proclaimed team leader Park to six years in prison. The prosecution had previously requested a 10-year prison sentence for Park, considered the main culprit, during the final hearing.

The court also sentenced Park’s wife, Won (23), who was an accomplice, to four years in prison and ordered her immediate detention. While six members of Park’s group were detained in connection with this case, Won’s detention warrant was previously rejected by the court despite the police’s reapplication.

Other accomplices Kim (23) and Choi (26) were each sentenced to three years in prison; Oh (21) and Seo (17) received two years and six months; and Yoo (31) was sentenced to two years. However, Seo, who held the lowest position within the sales agency team, was given a four-year suspended sentence along with 120 hours of community service.

At the initial trial, Park, his wife Won, Oh, and Choi admitted all charges. However, Seo, Yoo, and Kim mostly acknowledged the charges but denied direct involvement in assault or cruel treatment.

The court stated, "Considering that the defendants admitted their crimes and are deeply remorseful, and except for Seo, they reached amicable settlements with the victim, these are factors to be taken into account," but added, "The victim suffered injuries requiring more than 12 weeks of treatment after falling from the 7th floor and has endured significant mental and physical suffering, making severe punishment unavoidable."

They were prosecuted on charges of causing serious injury by forcing Kim (21), a man in his 20s who escaped from the dormitory established for real estate sales in a villa in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, at around 10:08 a.m. on January 9, to jump after cruel treatment.

The victim Kim entered the dormitory after seeing posts such as "Runaways provided with food and lodging" posted on social media by Won, the spouse of team leader Park, in September of last year.

Kim attempted to escape three times but was caught and returned each time. He was subjected to cruel treatment including head shaving, being doused with cold water, assault, and being bound with tape. On the day of the incident, he reportedly fell while trying to cross from the veranda to an external roof.