The prosecution has requested a one-year prison sentence in the first trial for former Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Myung-gon, who was indicted on charges of sexual assault.
On the 2nd, at the first hearing of Kim’s sexual assault charges held under Judge Kwon Kyung-sun of the 20th Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence along with orders for notification of personal information and a five-year employment restriction at related institutions.
Kim, who admitted to the charges, stated in his final remarks, “I apologize for causing emotional distress to the victim who ran out of the performance after my harsh reprimand. While earnestly pleading for her return to the performance, I held her hand,” adding, “There was no intention to insult the victim.” He continued, “Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret not considering the victim’s feelings,” and asked for leniency, saying, “I fully understand the victim’s feelings and sincerely ask for forgiveness for causing harm.”
After the trial, Kim left the courtroom with a troubled expression without responding to reporters’ questions.
Earlier, Kim was brought to trial on charges of two instances of unwanted physical contact with a subordinate victim during conversations related to a musical he directed around May 2014.
Kim Myung-gon wrote the screenplay and played the lead role ‘Yoo Bong’ in the film Seopyeonje, directed by Im Kwon-taek, winning the Best Actor award at the 1993 Blue Dragon Film Awards. He later transformed into an administrator, becoming the director of the National Theater of Korea in 2000. During the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2006, he served as Minister of Culture and Tourism.
The sentencing hearing for Kim’s first trial will be held on the afternoon of June 13.
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