Sexual Exploitation Video Filming Involving Over 10 Minors
Victim Says "Afraid After Release" as Sentence Reduced in Appeal Trial
A man in his 30s, a former owner of a well-known shopping mall, who filmed and distributed over 200 sexually exploitative videos involving more than 10 women, including minors, has been revealed. The investigation confirmed that the victims of the 30-year-old Mr. A include more than 10 people, among them two minors aged 15 and 17. Among the victims was Ms. B, a woman in her 20s who was Mr. A’s girlfriend.
In an interview with JTBC on the 19th, Ms. B disclosed the crimes committed by Mr. A. Six months into their relationship, Mr. A began engaging in sadistic behavior, which progressively intensified. He recorded these assaults on camera and beat her if she refused.
A man in his 30s, Mr. A, a former owner of a famous shopping mall, filmed and distributed over 200 sexual exploitation videos involving about 10 women, including minors. [Photo by JTBC]
Ms. B said, "That Christmas, Mr. A suddenly said he wanted to film a video and suggested, 'How about a video of you getting hit inside the closet?' I was hit so badly I almost lost my sight. I was beaten too much." Other women besides Ms. B were also exploited in these crimes. Ms. B added, "If I refused, he would continue verbal abuse or physical assault, so I had no choice."
Mr. A’s crimes did not stop there. He also arranged for a stranger to sexually assault Ms. B by giving him her residence and door lock password. Ms. B said, "Around 5 a.m. in winter, I heard the password being entered. I was terrified because it was a stranger. Suddenly, he stripped me and beat me," and added, "He said he was asked to 'rape the girlfriend just once.'"
Sentenced to 5 years in prison in the first trial, reduced to 4 years on appeal
Mr. A was sentenced to 5 years in prison in the first trial in 2021 for filming, producing, and distributing over 200 sexually exploitative videos. However, the sentence was reduced to 4 years on appeal. He was arrested in September 2021 following reports from some victims. Subsequently, he was detained on charges of filming, producing, and distributing sexually exploitative videos about 200 times involving more than 10 victims.
Mr. A was sentenced to five years in prison in the first trial in 2021 for filming, producing, and distributing sexually exploitative videos over 200 times, but his sentence was reduced to four years in the second trial. Eventually, he was arrested in September 2021 following reports from some victims. He was then detained on charges of filming, producing, and distributing sexually exploitative videos about 200 times involving around 10 victims. [Photo by JTBC]
The court also recognized these charges. In July 2022, Mr. A was sentenced to 5 years in prison in the first trial for violating the Child and Youth Protection Act, the Special Act on Sexual Violence Punishment, statutory rape of minors, and four other charges. However, the sentence was reduced to 4 years on appeal. Considerations included "no prior record of similar sex crimes, acknowledgment of the crimes, and showing remorse," as well as reaching settlements with some victims.
During this process, it was reported that Mr. A’s parents even hired a private investigator to find the minor victims in an attempt to obtain petitions requesting leniency.
Ms. B expressed fear about Mr. A, who is expected to be released in about three years. She said, "He knows everything about the clothes I wore and the layout of the house. I moved out of that house, changed residences, and even went to a psychiatric hospital," adding, "Sometimes I have nightmares about Mr. A being released from detention."
Mr. A was a famous male shopping mall owner who appeared on several broadcasts. At the time, he promoted his shopping mall as "collaborating with many large brands." After Mr. A’s crimes became public, his shopping mall and personal information have been widely circulated online.
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