Incheon District Court Sentences Gugak Musician A to 4 Years and 6 Months in Prison
A famous gugak musician was sentenced to prison for forcibly molesting an elementary school student and her mother.
According to SBS on the 8th, the 13th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Jang Woo-young) sentenced gugak musician A (37), who was indicted on charges of forcible molestation of a minor under 13 years old, child abuse, forcible molestation, and attempted forcible molestation under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, to 4 years and 6 months in prison and detained him in court on the 7th.
A, a holder of a national intangible cultural heritage license and conductor of the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education Gugak Choir, is accused of forcibly molesting 11-year-old student B in front of the elevator at the gugak academy he operated in August 2020.
According to a class recording held by B, A made inappropriate remarks several times during class and also emotionally abused her. In addition, it was investigated that A followed B’s mother to the bathroom and molested her while drinking with his wife and B’s parents.
B’s mother endured this for her daughter’s admission to an arts middle school but later recognized that her daughter had been victimized and filed a complaint against A. However, just before the complaint, A reportedly sent an apology message to B’s father saying, "Because I like people and am affectionate, I hurt you with careless actions and mistakes."
The court said, "Considering the position and role of an entrance exam instructor who should help children form proper values, the guilt is heavy and serious," and sentenced him to imprisonment. However, A’s side stated that "there is room for dispute over some facts" and intends to sincerely explain in the appeal trial.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
