Forced Kiss to Student During Overseas Business Trip
"You Have a Boyfriend Too"... Mockery After Sexual Harassment
A student has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a professor during an overseas business trip. The photo is unrelated to the article. [Photo by Pixabay]
A student has alleged that she was sexually harassed by her professor during an overseas business trip.
On the 12th, JTBC's 'Case Manager' aired a report featuring a female student, Ms. A, who claimed she was sexually harassed, including being forcibly kissed, by a professor at a university in Seoul. Ms. A enrolled in a prestigious private university's graduate school in Seoul in 2019 and obtained her doctoral degree in February this year. Afterward, she worked as a researcher in her advisor professor's lab. In April, Ms. A attended an overseas academic conference with Professor B and claimed she was sexually harassed during a drinking gathering with the group.
According to Ms. A, when the others at the drinking party went out to buy drinks, Professor B grabbed the back of her head and forcibly kissed her, asking, "Can I kiss you?" Ms. A recalled the situation, saying, "I tried to resist, but since my head and hands were held, I couldn't easily push him away." Afterwards, Professor B kissed her again and tried to put his hand inside her clothes. Although Ms. A firmly refused, Professor B continued the harassment for about 10 minutes.
Ms. A, who was sexually harassed, wiped away her tears and fixed her makeup because she was afraid and ashamed that the others would find out when they returned. However, Professor B, seeing this, smiled and said, "You can't let it show, right?" Furthermore, when Ms. A said, "Why are you doing this when your wife is here?" Professor B mocked her, saying, "You have a boyfriend too, right? Can I kiss you one more time?" Professor B's sexual harassment only stopped after the others returned.
Professor B later apologized, saying, "I am ashamed. It was a foolish act," but Ms. A informed him that she would resign from the lab and hired a lawyer.
Harassment Continued After Returning Home... Victim Reports Severe Stress
A student has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a professor during an overseas business trip. The photo is unrelated to the article. [Photo by Pixabay]
The harassment by Professor B continued even after returning home. Professor B told Ms. A, "I think I did it because I was too drunk," and said, "If I had intended to satisfy sexual desires, I would have done it when you were a student who couldn’t resist. Why would I do it to a graduated PhD?" He also committed secondary harassment by telling another PhD in the lab, "I thought she consented too." Suffering from extreme stress, Ms. A was eventually diagnosed with autoimmune meningitis and was hospitalized for about a month.
Ms. A stated, "I am worried that my parents, who do not yet know about the incident, might find out, but I decided to report because I am afraid this case will be buried as it is," and added, "I reported it hoping the school understands the seriousness of this matter."
Professor B reportedly canceled his classes this semester due to health reasons. He is expected to be summoned for police investigation soon. A university official stated, "Since the investigation is still ongoing, appropriate measures will be taken once clear results are obtained."
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