Court Dismisses Prosecution and Defendant Appeals... "Sentencing Cannot Be Seen as Too Harsh or Too Lenient"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A woman in her 20s who was prosecuted for repeatedly hitting a man in his 60s on the head with a mobile phone on Seoul Subway Line 9 was sentenced to one year in prison again in the appellate court.
The 4th Criminal Appeals Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Hyung-kwon) held a sentencing hearing at 10 a.m. on the 1st for A (26), who was prosecuted on charges of special injury, insult, and assault, and announced, "Both the prosecution's and the defendant's appeals are dismissed."
The court explained, "There is no change in the sentencing conditions, and considering the reasons for sentencing and the points shown in the trial records, the original sentence cannot be considered too light or too heavy," adding, "In such cases, it is reasonable to respect the original court's judgment."
A was indicted for repeatedly striking the head of a man in his 60s, B, with a mobile phone after a dispute on the subway heading to Gayang Station on Line 9 on March 16. Additionally, on October 21 of last year, A was further indicted for pouring a beverage on C's head, hitting C's head with a bag, and scratching C's chest and arm with nails during an argument on Subway Line 1. The first trial court previously sentenced A to one year in prison.
At the appellate court's final hearing, the prosecution reiterated a two-year prison sentence, stating, "The defendant did not reach a settlement, so the damage has not been restored, and the victims want a severe punishment for the defendant. The case is serious, the nature of the crime is bad, and the defendant does not appear to be genuinely remorseful, which led to the appeal."
In response, A's side appealed, saying that efforts were made to reach a settlement but it was realistically difficult. A's defense attorney explained, "The victim says they do not want a settlement. Even if a deposit is made, according to the revised Deposit Act, even if the defendant sincerely reflects on their wrongdoing and actively tries to restore the damage, there is no practical way to do so."
A also pleaded, "I deeply regret and reflect in my heart. I have firmly vowed never to enter prison again in the future, and I sincerely want to apologize to the victims and ask for their forgiveness."
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