Kim Geun-sik (55), a serial child sex offender who was re-arrested a day before his release after his forced child molestation charge from 17 years ago came to light, was sentenced to three years in prison in the first trial.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Anyang Branch of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Song In-kyung) on the 31st sentenced Kim Geun-sik, who was detained and prosecuted for violating the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Protection of Victims (rape of a minor under 13), to two years in prison. He was also ordered to wear an electronic location tracking device (electronic anklet) for 10 years and complete 200 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
However, the court did not accept the prosecution's request for chemical castration as a treatment for sexual impulses.
Separately from the sex crime case, the court sentenced Kim Geun-sik to one year in prison for charges of assaulting prison officers in December 2019 and July 2021 at Haenam Prison in Jeonnam (obstruction of official duties), as well as habitual assault for repeatedly attacking fellow inmates from 2017 to 2019.
In total, Kim was sentenced to three years in prison for the charges of forced child molestation, obstruction of official duties, and habitual assault.
The court stated, "The fact that the defendant forcibly took and molested a victim under the age of 13 at the time is a serious offense considering the victim's age and the method of the crime," and added, "The blameworthiness is high as the crime targeted children and adolescents with limited sexual self-determination rights."
However, the court added, "Considering that the defendant confessed to this crime while being investigated for other sex crimes and that if convicted, the sentences for all cases could have been handed down simultaneously, this order is made."
It further stated, "Although the crimes of assaulting prison officers and inmates are serious, some victims do not wish for punishment against the defendant, which is a favorable circumstance."
Regarding the prosecution's request for chemical castration, the court explained that it took into account Kim Geun-sik’s 15 years of imprisonment for other sex crimes, and that it is difficult to conclude at this point that medication causing permanent physical effects is necessary due to concerns about recidivism after serving the sentence for this case.
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