Under Investigation by Police as a 'Victim' of False Accusation
"Wanted an Apology... But They Didn't Say Sorry
Felt Like a Malicious Complainer, Only Excuses Followed"
A man in his 20s who visited a gym in Dongtan was falsely accused of committing a sex crime and suffered damages. After being cleared of the charges, he shared his experience of being investigated by the police as a victim of false accusation and mentioned that he was disappointed with the police's attitude.
On the afternoon of the 3rd, a review from Mr. A, who was investigated as a victim of false accusation at the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station, was posted on the YouTube channel "Innocent Man." Mr. A began by saying, "Today, I visited Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station and was investigated," adding, "Unlike before when I was the suspect on charges of sexual harassment, this time I was investigated as a victim of false accusation."
Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "Until just before entering the police station, I thought there would be chaos inside, but the reality was a calm and relaxed atmosphere. It was quieter than I expected." He continued, "The head of the Women and Youth Division offered a somewhat routine apology and, saying they had a schedule, brought in the relevant personnel (the head of the Women and Youth Violent Crimes Team, two members of the Women and Youth Violent Crimes Team, and one member of the Investigation Team)."
Previously, the police who responded to the sex crime report labeled Mr. A as the culprit and did not hesitate to speak rudely, including using informal language. They even provoked public outrage by telling Mr. A, who visited the police station to ask for the case number, "If you have nothing to hide, wait." Naturally, the police should have apologized politely to Mr. A. However, what Mr. A received in response to his request for an apology was the team leader's question, "If you have any questions, ask."
Mr. A expressed his frustration, saying, "I didn't come to interrogate the police, nor did I ask to meet first. They voluntarily called me to apologize," adding, "They responded as if they had no choice because they were conducting an investigation." He went on, "Only the investigator who said, 'If you have nothing to hide, just stay quiet,' apologized sincerely, while the others kept making excuses," and claimed, "One person tried to interrupt me. That person had a scowl on their face from the moment they entered the room and showed no remorse."
Mr. A candidly shared his feelings, saying, "They did apologize, but it felt like a reluctant 'Here, take this and leave.' It was as if I had become a malicious complainant." During the investigation he underwent as a victim, Mr. A stated, "I expressed the opinion that I hope Ms. B, who falsely accused me of false accusation, receives the maximum punishment," emphasizing, "She still hasn't apologized to me. I have no intention of leniency. I want strict punishment."
The so-called "Dongtan Gym Bathroom Incident" began on the 23rd of last month when a woman in her 50s reported that a man had been secretly watching her while she was using the women's bathroom next to a gym in an apartment complex in Hwaseong City and had engaged in sexual acts. The police investigated Mr. A on charges of sexual harassment based on CCTV analysis and other evidence.
Mr. A consistently denied the charges, but the police maintained an attitude that seemed to assume he was the culprit. Mr. A uploaded recordings of conversations with the police on his YouTube channel, which sparked significant public outrage on social media and online communities.
Subsequently, on the 27th of last month, Ms. B confessed to making a false report, stating, "When I take a large amount of prescribed medication, I sometimes say things that are not true," bringing the matter to a close. To quell the controversy, the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station issued a statement, but the anger among the public has not easily subsided.
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