Police to Identify and Investigate Motorcycle Couple and Cameraman
Possible Punishment for Cameraman as Accomplice
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] On the 31st of last month, a video was released showing a male and female couple racing on a motorcycle in Gangnam, Seoul, wearing excessively revealing outfits. The police are investigating whether the person who filmed the video can also be punished.
On the 12th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul is coordinating investigation schedules by identifying the man, woman, and the filmer. A police official stated, "We recently scheduled an investigation, but it was postponed due to heavy rain," adding, "We plan to summon them to the police station for questioning soon."
The couple rode the motorcycle in the rain around the Gangnam area of Seoul, and related eyewitness accounts were uploaded on social networking services (SNS), sparking controversy. At the time, the man was shirtless, and the woman was wearing a bikini swimsuit. It was reported that both were wearing helmets.
The police are expected to apply charges of excessive exposure under the Minor Offenses Act to the woman. According to the excessive exposure clause in the Minor Offenses Act, if a person openly exposes major parts of the body such as genitals or buttocks in a public place, causing embarrassment or discomfort to others, they can be punished. If charged with excessive exposure, penalties include a fine of up to 100,000 KRW, detention, or a fine.
The man is seen as an accomplice who helped with the excessive exposure, and charges of aiding and abetting may be applied. The filmer may also be punished as an accessory for aiding another's crime, knowing that the video involves excessive exposure. The police will also investigate habitual behavior and whether there was a commercial purpose.
In fact, in April, the Changwon District Court fined a man in his 40s 150,000 KRW for walking around the city wearing hot pants in Busan and other areas. At that time, the court stated as a reason for sentencing, "It was judged that openly exposing the buttocks in an indoor cafe caused embarrassment or discomfort to others."
The police are expected to formally request an investigation and then refer the case to a summary trial. If brought to a summary trial, under the Minor Offenses Act, the person may receive a fine of up to 200,000 KRW, detention, or a fine.
Attorney Chae Da-eun of Law Firm Siwoo said, "While there is a possibility of punishment for excessive exposure, it may be difficult to prove habitual behavior or causing discomfort," adding, "If the filmer shared roles in filming, they can be punished as a co-principal or accessory. However, the principal's act must be illegal, and even if punished, the penalty is about half that of the principal."
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