A Woman in Her 20s Who Forced Peer Women into Prostitution Over 1,000 Times... Prosecutors Demand 15 Years Sentence

"Crimes Against Humanity Committed, Severe Punishment Needed"

The prosecution has requested the court to impose heavy sentences on a group of people in their 20s who were indicted for psychologically dominating (gaslighting) their female peers and forcing them into prostitution over 1,000 times.

According to Yonhap News on the 11th, at the sentencing hearing held under the Daegu District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Lee Jong-gil), the prosecution demanded a 15-year prison sentence for the female defendant in her 20s, Tae. For Kim, a male defendant in his 20s who participated in the crimes, the prosecution requested 7 years in prison; for another male defendant Kim in his 20s, 5 years; and for Jeon, a male defendant in his 20s, 10 years. The prosecution also petitioned the court to order the confiscation of approximately 27.38 million won from each defendant and the return of the confiscated funds.

The prosecutor stated, "Defendant Tae lived with the victims and psychologically dominated them, continuously threatened them, and subjected them to discriminatory assaults, forcing them into prostitution and abortions, among other bizarre acts." The prosecutor added, "Despite victims repeatedly being taken to the emergency room or suffering from illnesses, they did not receive proper treatment or were forced to have abortions, and the physical and mental damage they sustained appears irreversible."

Furthermore, the prosecutor emphasized regarding Tae, "She managed all the proceeds from prostitution and is presumed to have consumed a significant portion. Please consider that she denied all charges during the investigation and consistently showed no remorse."

Regarding defendant Jeon, the prosecutor explained, "He committed inhumane crimes by isolating, threatening, and assaulting the victim, who was his wife, while having an extramarital relationship with the main perpetrator Tae, and forcing her into prostitution, warranting severe punishment." The defendants read prepared letters of apology during their final statements, stating, "We fully admit our crimes and are remorseful."

Two victims and one victim’s mother attended the courtroom that day. One victim said, "Defendant Tae pretended to be my mother and abused my 3-year-old daughter by feeding her spicy and hot food," and added, "My daughter still does not recognize me as her biological mother," urging for severe punishment.

The defendants were arrested and indicted last September on charges of psychologically dominating women in their 20s from September 2022 to August 2024, forcing them into prostitution over 1,000 times in an apartment in the Daegu area, and extorting about 100 million won in prostitution proceeds.

Earlier, in 2022, Tae visited a restaurant where an acquaintance worked and got to know the female victims who were working there as employees. At that time, Tae gained their trust by showing kindness such as giving them milk money, pocket money, and buying meals, especially since the victims were economically struggling. After getting close to them, Tae deceived them by promising "jobs and lodging" and then forced them into prostitution.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on January 8 next year.