Six Men Who Lured Two Elementary Students with "I'll Give You a Game Console" for Sexual Relations... Controversy Over Lenient Punishment

Press Conference by 38 Child and Youth Human Rights Organizations in Gangwon
One Person Fined and Five Given Suspended Sentences in First Trial

Human rights organizations have criticized the court's "lenient punishment" following the recent first trial where men who had sexual relations with two elementary school students were sentenced to fines and suspended sentences, respectively.

On the 7th, 38 organizations including the Gangwon Women's Human Rights Community, Gangwon Child and Youth Human Rights Support Center, and Gangwon Women's Solidarity held a press conference at the Chuncheon District Court Gangneung Branch and Gangneung Wolhwa Street to protest the Gangneung Branch court's handling of child and youth sexual exploitation cases and to raise awareness.

Human rights organizations in the Gangwon region held a press conference on the 7th in front of the Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Court, criticizing the court's lenient punishments for men involved in prostitution.
[Photo by Gangwon Women's Human Rights Community]

They stated, "We heard the distressing news that among six adult male defendants involved in the case of luring and sexually exploiting two elementary school students in Gangneung recently, five received suspended sentences and one was fined," adding, "Even if an adult and a minor agree, sexual relations with a child under the age of 13 constitute statutory rape, a crime established regardless of the other party's consent."

They continued, "Granting suspended sentences on the grounds of first offense, mutual agreement, and large bail deposits is effectively giving impunity to the perpetrators. Moreover, sentencing leniently despite the non-consenting victim child’s strong desire for severe punishment legitimizes such acts for others," emphasizing, "We strongly urge the appellate court to overturn the unjust suspended sentences for perpetrators of child sexual exploitation and to impose actual imprisonment on all."

Gangneung Branch: 5 Suspended Sentences, 1 Fine Imposed

According to these organizations, six adult men residing in Gangneung met two elementary school girls through internet chat, gave them cash and gaming devices, and had sexual relations with them multiple times. It is known that one of the men was a public official.

The case came to light when the girls’ parents filed complaints against the men. The men were prosecuted on charges including statutory rape of minors, with the prosecution seeking sentences ranging from three to twenty years in prison.

However, at the first trial held on the 18th of last month, the court sentenced only one man who proposed prostitution to a fine of 10 million won, while the other five received suspended sentences. The court explained the sentencing by stating, "One victim reached an agreement, and bail was posted for the other victim. Also, the defendants did not act against the victims’ will."

In response, the Gangneung Branch of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office filed an appeal on the 21st of last month, citing the inappropriateness of the sentencing.