'Former Gimje City Councilor Yoo Jin-woo Accused of Stalking Ex-Lover Receives Suspended Sentence in First Trial'

"Considering the Defendant's Remorse for the Crime"

Former Kimje City Councilor Yoo Jin-woo (57), who stood trial on charges of stalking a woman he had dated, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

According to Yonhap News on the 29th, the Jeonju District Court Criminal Division 6 (Judge Kim Seo-young) sentenced former Councilor Yoo, who was indicted for violating the Stalking Punishment Act and other charges, to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. In addition, he was ordered to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program. The court stated, "The defendant repeatedly committed stalking after his partner wanted to break up," and "The victim, who repeatedly received messages implying suicide from the defendant, must have suffered considerable mental distress." The court added, "However, considering that the defendant has shown remorse for the crime and reached a settlement with the victim, the prosecution was dismissed on the assault charges and the sentence was determined."

Former Kimje City Councilor Yoo Jin-woo. Provided by Kimje City Council

Former Councilor Yoo was indicted on charges of harassing woman A, whom he had dated in the past, by contacting her multiple times despite a provisional injunction from the court prohibiting approach and use of telecommunications, which essentially meant "do not meet or contact." In December of last year, he also assaulted A, who works at a mart in Kimje City, by pinching her cheek and spitting on her face.

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on the 15th, Yoo bowed his head and said, "As an elected official, I must take social responsibility for causing trouble," and "I am ashamed and devastated by what I have caused." However, the prosecutor pointed out, "The defendant, as an elected official, was required to have a high sense of law-abiding and moral responsibility but failed to control himself and committed the crime," and "The victim suffered great mental distress and the damage is not minor." Yoo’s defense attorney argued, "The victim has forgiven the defendant and submitted a settlement and a letter requesting no punishment," and "Although he caused an unfortunate incident as a city councilor, he was disciplined by the council and is no longer serving as a council member, so we ask for leniency."

Meanwhile, the Kimje City Council passed a resolution to expel former Councilor Yoo only in April, five months after the assault incident. At that time, the council stated, "We sincerely apologize to the citizens of Kimje and will make every effort to be reborn as a truly active, communicative, and trusted council for the citizens."