"Spreading Videos"... 20s Man Who Harassed Girlfriend and Was Detained Threatens After Probation

Persistent Stalking After Release When Victim Refused to Meet
Court: "Victim Does Not Wish to Punish, but Crime Is Serious"

A man in his 20s who was previously detained for dating violence against a woman he had been in a relationship with for six years was released on probation but was sentenced to prison again after stalking and threatening her.

A (29) was arrested and prosecuted on January 24 for unlawful confinement and other charges related to detaining B (33), his then-girlfriend, and subjecting her to cruel treatment.

On March 27, A was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation and was released from prison.

After his release, when B refused to meet him, he sent 94 KakaoTalk messages between 1:53 a.m. and 4:42 a.m. on April 4, causing anxiety and fear, thereby stalking her.

Immediately after his release, despite warnings from police officers who responded to a 112 emergency call telling him not to visit the victim B, A persistently made and canceled eight reservations at the store where B worked to unblock KakaoTalk and contact her.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the indictment, A persistently threatened B by saying things like, "There is a video, so come and delete it yourself," and "If you don't come, I will spread it in a group chat," implying he would distribute sexual videos, and forced her to come to his location.

On the 17th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Wonju Branch of Chuncheon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Su-woong) sentenced A, who was arrested and prosecuted for violating the Stalking Punishment Act and the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (coercion using filmed materials), to 1 year and 6 months in prison.

He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of stalking and sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from working in institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for three years each.

The court stated, "Despite receiving a suspended sentence for unlawful confinement of the victim, A stalked the victim and coerced her using previously recorded videos, which shows the crime's nature and method are very serious."

It added, "Even considering that the victim does not wish to press charges, the fact that A did not refrain from wrongdoing during the probation period and committed this crime warrants criticism, which was taken into account in sentencing."