"Do You Sell Sex?" 50-Year-Old Shouts Abusive Words at Teenager on the Street

Swearing and Assaulting Police Officers on Duty
1st Trial: 1 Year Prison → Appeal Trial: 1 Year 6 Months... Increased Sentence

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A man in his 50s who followed a teenager on the street and made unpleasant remarks without reason received a harsher sentence in the appellate court than in the first trial.

According to Yonhap News on the 18th, the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Cheongmi) overturned the original sentence of one year imprisonment for A (58), who was charged with obstruction of official duties and threats, and sentenced him to one year and six months imprisonment.

A was prosecuted for following B (19), who was walking and talking on the phone around 10:20 p.m. on August 24 last year on the street in Wonju, Gangwon Province, for about 200 meters, threatening to hit her and making unpleasant remarks, among other acts of intimidation. At the time, A made statements such as "You're going to a motel, you are engaging in prostitution," "Hang up the phone," "Do you want to die?" and "Do you want to get hit?" to B, whom he did not know. He also raised his fist above his head, threatening to hit her. He reportedly cursed at the police officers who arrived after B reported the incident. When the police told him to go home, he took off his shoes and struck a police officer’s chin, obstructing official duties.

The first trial court sentenced him to one year imprisonment, stating, "The defendant has a history of punishment for violent crimes and committed the offense during the probation period for injury." However, the prosecution appealed, arguing that "the sentence was too light."

The appellate court stated, "The defendant caused great anxiety to the victim by following her as she fled to a convenience store," and pointed out, "Considering the victim’s age, the degree of mental suffering, and the defendant’s disregard for public authority, the nature of the crime is very serious." Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "He has not been forgiven by the victim and poses a high risk of reoffending."