Prosecutors Demand 7-Year Prison Sentence for Former Singer Himchan on Sexual Assault Charges

The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for Himchan (real name Kim Himchan, 33), a former member of the idol group B.A.P, who has been charged with sexual assault and forcible molestation.

Former member Himchan (real name Kim Himchan) of the idol group 'B.A.P' [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 16th, during the sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Kwon Seong-su), the prosecution asked the court to sentence Himchan to 7 years in prison. They also requested the disclosure and notification of his personal information, a 10-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, a 3-year electronic location tracking order, and a 4-year probation order.

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence request, stating, "Considering the method, frequency, circumstances, and acts of the crime, the victims have suffered extreme pain," and added, "The influence an idol singer has on youth must also be taken into account."

Himchan, who appeared in court that day, said, "I am sorry to the victims who have been most deeply hurt and are still struggling," and requested, "Please show the maximum leniency."

Himchan is accused of sexually assaulting a victim whom he took home in May of last year, illegally filming her, and in June of the same year, sending obscene materials during communication with the victim.

At that time, Himchan was undergoing a second trial for a forcible molestation case he had previously committed. He was prosecuted in April 2019 for sexually molesting a woman in her 20s at a pension in Namyangju in July 2018. After being sentenced to 10 months in prison in the first trial in 2021, he was sentenced to the same term in the appeal trial held in February last year and was taken into custody in court.

In April 2022, Himchan was also indicted in October of the same year on charges of sexually molesting two intoxicated women on the external stairs of a bar in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The verdict will be delivered at 10 a.m. on the 1st of next month.