False 'Sexual Assault'... Court Orders Payment of Lawyer Fees to Defendant

The court ruled that it is responsible for compensating the material and mental damages caused by a false rape accusation.

On the 30th, Hwang Young-su, Chief Judge of the Daegu District Court Civil Small Claims Division 1, announced a partial victory for the plaintiff A in a damages lawsuit filed against B, who was falsely accused of sexual assault.

In May 2019, although A had sexual relations with B, A refused B's formal dating request and was falsely accused of rape by B. In August of the same year, A was cleared of charges by the investigative authorities.

The court stated, "It is recognized that the plaintiff suffered mental distress during the investigation process due to the false accusation and incurred attorney fees of 5.5 million won for legal defense," and "the defendant is responsible for compensating the material and mental damages suffered by the plaintiff."

Furthermore, the court ruled, "The defendant shall pay the plaintiff the full attorney fees and 5 million won in consolation money, totaling 10.5 million won."