Middle School Student Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted Woman on Commute... Prosecutors Seek Maximum 15 Years in Appeal Trial

Prosecution Requests Maximum Sentence of 15 Years Long-Term Imprisonment and 7 Years Short-Term for A; Defense Pleads for Consideration of Immaturity Stage
A's Side Asks to Consider Their Immature Stage

The prosecution has requested the maximum sentence under the Juvenile Act for a middle school student who kidnapped a woman leaving work late at night, sexually assaulted her at an elementary school, and fled after stealing cash.

On the 2nd, at the appellate trial for A (16), held by the Criminal Division 3 of the Daejeon High Court (Presiding Judge Kim Byeongsik), the prosecution requested the court to sentence A to the maximum statutory penalty under the Juvenile Act: 15 years long-term imprisonment and 7 years short-term imprisonment for charges of robbery and rape, robbery and injury, and attempted robbery.

The prosecution stated, "The victim's daily life has been destroyed, and she is receiving psychiatric treatment," adding, "Considering the attempted robbery charge targeting unspecified multiple victims, a longer period of reflection is necessary."

A is accused of approaching B (in her 40s), who was leaving work in the early morning of October 3 last year in Nonsan city, Chungnam Province, offering to give her a ride on a motorcycle. After B got on, he took her to the grounds of an elementary school and sexually assaulted her. During this incident, he also illegally filmed B’s body, threatened to distribute the video, and stole cash before fleeing.

A’s defense attorney argued, "The original trial concluded that the defendant was cunning, perverted, and had a bad character, but considering his life history, he was a good student who helped his grandfather with limited mobility with toileting and greeted adults politely," and requested leniency, noting "the defendant reached a settlement with the victim and that adolescents are in an immature stage, neither adults nor children."

However, the prosecution, after conducting digital forensic analysis on A’s mobile phone, found evidence that A meticulously planned the robbery by approaching women under the pretense of prostitution just before the crime. Therefore, the prosecution added the charge of attempted robbery and indicted him. The appellate sentencing hearing will be held on the 14th of next month.