Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentences for Teens Accused of Illegal Filming in Female Teacher's Restroom

Main Perpetrator Sentenced to 5 Years Long-Term, 3 Years Short-Term
Expelled for Illegal Filming at School in 3rd Year of High School

The prosecution has sought prison sentences for high school students accused of illegally filming by installing a camera in the restroom of a female teacher at a high school in Daejeon.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 23rd at the Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 6, presided over by Judge Kim Ji-young, in a case involving violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming using a camera, etc.), the prosecution requested prison terms of 5 years (long term) and 3 years (short term) for A (19) and 3 years (long term) and 2 years (short term) for B (19), respectively. Under the Juvenile Act, minors are subject to indeterminate sentences divided into long and short terms with upper and lower limits. Additionally, the prosecution requested a 10-year employment ban in child and youth-related institutions for the defendants.

Daejeon District Court Photo by Yonhap News

At the time, the defendants were third-year high school students and were prosecuted on charges of using a pen-shaped camera to film the body parts of teachers 44 times in their school classrooms from March to August of last year, and installing an illegal camera in the female teachers’ restroom to film. Their crime was uncovered when a teacher who was about to use the restroom found the camera on the floor.

The prosecution stated, "In March of last year, B purchased the camera and handed it over to A, who used it to illegally film the lower body of the victim 44 times," adding, "They also shared and illegally possessed the videos filmed several times." A and the others admitted all their charges.

The defense attorney said, "The defendants have admitted all their crimes from the investigation stage and are reflecting sincerely," and appealed for leniency, saying, "The defendants, who were third-year high school students, were all expelled and are preparing for the qualification exam, living every day with a repentant heart, so they need a chance to become proper members of society."

In their final statements, the defendants said, "We apologize to those who were harmed by our crossing the line and have committed a grave sin against the teachers," and "We feel regretful and sorry for ruining the teachers’ lives, albeit belatedly. We will live with repentance from now on." It is also known that they provided some of the illegally filmed videos to unidentified individuals. The school requested a police investigation in August last year and expelled them. Considering that the defendants attempted to reach settlements with the victims and that a pre-sentencing investigation is necessary for sentencing, the court plans to deliver the first trial verdict on April 3.