‘Stalking and Illegal Filming’ Jeon Juhwan Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison... What Is the Reason for the ‘Unusual’ Heavy Sentence?

Court Rejects Victim's Mourning and Postponement Request
Severe Sentence Influenced by Sexual Violence Charges
Petitions and External Pressure Affect Outcome

Suspect Jeon Juhwan in the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder' case is being transferred from the Namdaemun Police Station detention center in Jung-gu, Seoul to the prosecution on the 21st. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Jeon Juhwan (31), the suspect in the ‘Sindang Station stalking murder’ case, was sentenced to 9 years in prison for illegally filming and stalking the victim in the past. Before the sentencing, the court expressed condolences to the victim and rejected Jeon’s request to postpone the sentencing. Inside and outside the legal community, there is an interpretation that the court handed down this ‘heavy sentence’ influenced by Jeon’s murder charges and external pressures.

Court Expresses Condolences to Victim, Rejects Jeon Juhwan’s Request to Postpone Sentencing... Forewarning of Heavy Sentence?

In the first trial sentencing hearing, the court appeared to signal a heavy sentence. The Criminal Division 12 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Andongbeom) entered the courtroom three minutes earlier than the scheduled sentencing time of 10:30 a.m. After taking their seats, Chief Judge An immediately addressed the gallery, saying, “First, I would like to express my deep condolences and sympathy to the victim and the bereaved family,” and added, “I hope that such a tragic outcome of a victim’s death related to stalking crimes will never happen again.”

Subsequently, the court also rejected Jeon’s sudden request to postpone the sentencing. While Chief Judge An was explaining the reasons for sentencing, Jeon suddenly raised his hand. Chief Judge An stopped speaking after not seeing Jeon for about 10 seconds. Then Jeon said, “Respected presiding judge, I have something to say,” and asked, “Could you postpone the sentencing date as much as possible?”

When Chief Judge An asked for the reason, Jeon replied, “As you know, there is a case pending at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office. I want to merge that case with this one, and also, since public attention and media coverage are focused now, I hope the trial can take place after things have calmed down.”

However, Chief Judge An said, “We considered merging, but the trial for this case has progressed enough to allow sentencing, and we judged that it is meaningful to sentence the other case separately,” thus rejecting his request.

Ultimately, the court stated the sentencing rationale: “During the trial process, the defendant submitted several letters of remorse, but contrary to that, committed the horrific crime of killing the victim he sought out,” and “Considering the stalking circumstances, methods and means, the victim’s death due to additional crimes, and the necessity to prevent further crimes, we impose a sentence heavier than usual.”

‘Use of Illegal Filming for Threats’ Recognized... Cited as Reason for Heavy Sentence

There is an analysis that the court ruled according to the prosecution’s demand because sexual violence crimes were recognized. Among the charges against Jeon is a violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (Sexual Violence Act). This includes charges of filming using a camera and threatening/coercing using the filmed material. This crime carries a sentence of at least one year of imprisonment, which is heavier than the stalking punishment law violation charge Jeon faces (up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine up to 30 million KRW).

A prosecution official said, “If it were only a violation of the Stalking Punishment Act, the statutory sentence is 3 years, but since filming with a camera and threats under the Sexual Violence Act were combined, the prosecution internally classified the Sexual Violence Act violation as ‘high’ when setting the sentencing demand.”

Submission of Victim’s Acquaintances’ Petitions and External Pressure on Court Also Influenced

On the 29th, when the sentencing trial was held, members of the Progressive Party also held a one-person protest in front of the court, demanding severe punishment for Mr. Jeon.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

One of the reasons for the heavy sentence is also attributed to the submission of petitions by acquaintances. From the 22nd to the 28th, about 60 petitions were submitted to the court by acquaintances of the victim’s family and colleagues from Seoul Metro. Min Goeun, the victim’s legal representative, told reporters after the sentencing, “The bereaved family directly collected petitions from the victim’s acquaintances and submitted them,” and added, “A large number of petitions were submitted in a short time, which made us think again that the victim was a good person during her lifetime.”

External pressure on the court also seems to have influenced the sentencing. On the 21st, members of the Progressive Party gathered in front of the Seoul Western District Court, demanding disciplinary action against the judge who dismissed Jeon’s first arrest warrant, submitting about 3,200 signatures supporting this to the court. On the 29th, the day of the sentencing hearing, they held a one-person protest in front of the court urging severe punishment for Jeon. Lee Giwon, Executive Committee Member of the Women-Mothers Progressive Party, said, “I don’t think (9 years imprisonment) is adequate, and I hope the murder charge will be quickly punished so that this case can set a precedent for stalking crime punishment.”

A former chief judge turned lawyer said, “Judges should not be influenced by public opinion,” but added, “The court was surely aware of various situations such as the murder case and the previous dismissal of Jeon’s arrest warrant, and these definitely influenced the verdict.”

Meanwhile, the investigation into Jeon Juhwan’s retaliatory murder case is ongoing. On the 29th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office extended his detention period, which was set to expire on the 30th. The prosecution can continue investigating Jeon Juhwan until the 10th of next month.