"Women Don't Serve in the Military" Assault... 20s Man in Uiwang Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison

Claimed 'Diminished Mental Capacity' in First Trial
Intentional Injury Recognized, Charged with 'Rape and Injury'

The prosecution has sought a heavy sentence for a man in his 20s who assaulted a woman and attempted to sexually assault her in an apartment elevator in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.

According to the legal community on the 3rd, the prosecution requested 21 years and 6 months in prison at the sentencing trial for A (23) held on the 1st at the Suwon District Court Anyang Branch Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Song In-kyung). They also asked for a 10-year probation order and a 10-year employment restriction.

A was arrested and indicted on charges of attempted rape and injury after he pressed the neck of a woman B, who was riding with him in an elevator in an apartment in Uiwang around 12:10 p.m. on July 5, knocked her down, dragged her out of the elevator, beat her several times, and attempted to sexually assault her.

A dragged B to the emergency stairs and attempted to sexually assault her but was caught by the police following a report from another resident who heard the victim’s screams. During this incident, B suffered injuries including fractured ribs, requiring three weeks of medical treatment.

It is understood that he searched for a victim for over 10 minutes

A heading to the warrant hearing [Photo by Yonhap News]

At the time of the crime, A boarded the elevator on the 12th floor of the apartment where B was riding, pressed the button for the 10th floor, indiscriminately assaulted B, and when the elevator doors opened on the 10th floor, dragged B out, according to the investigation.

In particular, it was found that A searched for a victim for more than 10 minutes, letting the elevator pass when men or multiple women were inside.

He reportedly stated, "I calculated the number of people boarding the elevator and the time it would take to commit the crime, so I chose the 12th floor, a middle floor, as the crime scene."

Initially, the police charged A with "rape causing injury," but the prosecution changed the charge to "rape with injury," which carries a heavier sentence, as they recognized the intent to cause injury, and brought the case to trial.

Mr. A's side claimed "diminished mental capacity" at the first trial on September 20. Mr. A's lawyer stated, "Even now, the defendant was not in a normal psychological state at the time of the crime," and added, "He harbored resentment toward women who do not serve in the military and was obsessed with the delusion that he had to commit the crime."
[Photo by MBC]

At the first trial on September 20, A’s defense claimed "diminished mental capacity." A’s lawyer said, "Even now, the defendant is not in a normal psychological state. He had a grudge against women who do not serve in the military and was obsessed with the delusion that he had to commit the crime."

B, who observed the trial from the gallery at the time, reportedly expressed her feelings, saying, "I was shocked that (A) committed the crime due to misogyny, and I am very angry that he is claiming diminished mental capacity."

A also faces additional charges of damaging police detention center property after his arrest (attempted damage to public property), committing obscene acts by removing his clothes in front of police officers (public obscenity), and kicking a police officer attempting to handcuff him (obstruction of official duties).

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence request, stating, "The crime was very brutal and the victim has not recovered. The victim, who suffered great mental shock, is demanding severe punishment."

The sentencing trial is scheduled for the 1st of next month.