Former Daegu FC Player Sentenced to 1 Year and 2 Months for Assault and Sexual Harassment of Junior Teammate

"Denied Charges Until the End Despite 'Lawsuit for Settlement Money' Claim
Partial Acquittal on Charges Including Forced Indecent Assault Resulting in Injury"

A former professional soccer player of Daegu FC, who was charged with abusing and sexually assaulting junior players, has been sentenced to prison.

According to the legal community on the 17th, the Supreme Court's 1st Division (Presiding Justice Kim Seon-su) upheld the original sentence of 1 year and 2 months imprisonment for Mr. Oh, who was charged with forcible molestation and coercion, on the 29th of last month. The order to complete 40 hours of sexual assault treatment program and a 3-year employment ban at facilities related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities was also maintained.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mr. Oh was arrested and indicted on charges of repeatedly assaulting a newly joined junior player at the team dormitory in 2018 by forcing him to hit his head, stripping him, and molesting him multiple times. He was also accused of throwing objects and assaulting the victim causing injuries.

Mr. Oh’s crimes became known after the victim’s family posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board in April 2021 requesting punishment. The victim had refrained from raising the issue due to concerns about the reputation of the soccer community but eventually gathered courage to file a complaint after quitting sports.

The victim claimed to have suffered habitual bullying from March to September 2018, stating, "He stripped me naked in front of juniors, forced me to hit my head, and touched my genitals, causing me great shame, which made me cry a lot." He added, "I would go to a corner alone and cry, even having extreme thoughts."

The victim’s normal life became impossible due to the abuse, and he eventually quit his athletic career in 2019. He reported the abuse to the club, but no disciplinary action or measures were taken.

Mr. Oh denied all charges in court, claiming that "the victim filed the complaint to receive a settlement." However, the first trial court found the victim’s testimony credible and convicted Mr. Oh.

However, the court ruled that the charge of forcible molestation causing post-traumatic stress disorder was not established, and considering that it was his first offense, the execution of the prison sentence was suspended.

Mr. Oh also denied all charges in the appeal trial. The appellate court found the victim’s testimony credible but reversed some charges to not guilty due to lack of other objective evidence.

Nevertheless, the court sentenced him to imprisonment and detained him in court, stating, "During the investigation and trial, he denied all crimes and consistently blamed the victim by claiming the victim lacked ability as a soccer player or had poor conduct, causing secondary harm."

Mr. Oh appealed the appellate court’s ruling, but the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, finding no error in the original court’s conclusion.