Teenager Habitually Filming Illegally in School Girls' Restroom... '6 Years Imprisonment'

Sentence Increased from 4 to 6 Years
Over 200 Illegal Filming Incidents... 216 Victims

The sentence of a teenager who repeatedly engaged in illegal filming and distributed the footage at his high school and other locations was increased in the appellate court.

On the 13th, the Jeju Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jae-shin) overturned the original sentence of 4 years imprisonment and sentenced A (19), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, to 6 years imprisonment in the appellate trial. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for 10 years.

The court stated, "All the charges were found guilty, and it was deemed appropriate to hold a heavy responsibility," adding, "We hope that he takes full responsibility for this case and never stands in a criminal court again," explaining the reason for the sentencing.

A was prosecuted on charges of illegally filming more than 200 unspecified individuals using a mobile phone by entering a restaurant in Jeju City and the girls' restroom at his high school from mid-September to mid-October last year. He was also charged with distributing some of the footage through social networking services (SNS).

The victims in this case numbered 216, with a significant portion identified as children and adolescents.

A's crimes were uncovered on October 18 last year when a teacher found a tissue box containing a mobile phone with the camera function turned on in the school restroom and reported it to the police. A surrendered the day after the report was filed and was eventually expelled.

The Jeju Teachers' Union issued a statement regarding this ruling, saying, "This verdict shows that serious crimes against teachers within schools will be severely punished and offenders will be isolated from society," and added, "There should no longer be lenient punishments that grant impunity for crimes against teachers."