Prosecution Appeals First Trial Sentencing 'Dobong-gu Elementary School Student Kidnapper' to 10 Years Imprisonment

The prosecution has appealed the first trial sentence of 10 years imprisonment given to the kidnapper of an elementary school student in Dobong-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, commencing operations on the 19th.

On the 28th, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had filed an appeal against the first trial sentence of Baek Mo (42), who threatened an elementary school student on their way to school with a weapon and kidnapped them in an apartment in Dobong-gu, Seoul, then demanded 200 million won from the victim's parents.

Baek, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (for profit kidnapping and enticement), was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the first trial on the 22nd.

At that time, the court took into consideration as favorable circumstances that Baek showed remorse and was assessed to have a low risk of reoffending.

The prosecution stated the reason for the appeal, saying, "The victim and their parents demand severe punishment for the defendant, and considering the trauma the young victim may suffer, we requested a 15-year sentence for Baek, but the sentencing result did not meet this."

Baek is accused of threatening an elementary school student with a weapon and kidnapping them at an apartment in Dobong-gu, Seoul, around 8:40 a.m. on December 19 last year.

Baek took the student to the apartment rooftop, tied them up, confiscated their mobile phone, and sent a text message to the parents stating, "If you do not prepare 200 million won in cash by 2 p.m., do not expect to see your daughter."

It is known that Baek testified that he committed the crime due to feeling pressured by debts of over 170 million won.