50-Year-Old Police Officer Found Guilty of Stalking and Saying "I Like You" to 30-Year-Old Younger Colleague

50s Police Officer Stalked Colleague 30 Years Younger
Guilty Verdict... 3 Million Won Fine Suspended
Court: "Caused Fear and Anxiety to Victim"

A male police officer who repeatedly contacted a female colleague 30 years his junior, claiming to like her romantically, was found guilty.

According to the legal community on the 4th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 24 (Judge Yoo Dong-gyun) postponed sentencing with a fine of 3 million won for Mr. A, who was indicted last month on the 29th for violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes. A suspended sentence is a type of guilty verdict where, for crimes deemed minor, sentencing is deferred for a certain period, and if two years pass from the date of suspension, the sentence is waived.

According to the charges, male police officer Mr. A confessed to female colleague Ms. B, who worked with him, in August last year, saying he "liked her romantically." Ms. B asked Mr. A to stop contacting her, but he made about 47 phone calls or sent text messages until January this year. Eventually, Mr. A was brought to trial on stalking charges.

The first trial court judged that Mr. A's contacts caused fear and anxiety to Ms. B, constituting stalking. The court stated, "The defendant made calls and sent messages against the will of a colleague about 30 years younger. The victim, who received unwanted contact from her superior, the defendant, expressed considerable psychological anxiety and discomfort." It added, "However, since the defendant fully admitted his wrongdoing during the investigation and the victim does not wish for punishment, and considering the defendant’s clear remorse, sentencing is suspended this time."