Rugby Player-Turned-Broadcaster Sentenced for Attempted Sexual Assault and Assault of Former Lover

2 years and 6 months imprisonment... Court: "Severe punishment due to bad nature of the crime"

MBC news screen capture

A former rugby national team player and broadcaster, who was prosecuted for attempting to sexually assault and injuring his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 29 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jung-nam) sentenced Mr. A, who was detained and indicted on charges including attempted rape and injury, to 2 years and 6 months in prison on the 20th, and ordered him to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program.

The court explained the sentencing reason, stating, "The victim must have suffered extreme fear and physical pain," and "Due to the heinous nature of the crime, strict punishment is necessary." However, it also noted, "Consideration was given to the fact that the defendant admitted to some of the charges and showed remorse, that the sexual assault itself was only attempted, and that the crime appears to have been committed impulsively after the victim slapped him first."

Mr. A was prosecuted for attempting to sexually assault his ex-girlfriend Ms. B at her home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in June, and assaulting her when she resisted. He is also charged with destroying Ms. B’s mobile phone, which she tried to use to report the incident to the police.

They had dated for about six months and broke up in March. According to the victim Ms. B, Mr. A contacted her saying he had left some clothes at her place, and when she met him outside to return them, he followed her into her home and demanded sexual intercourse. When she refused, Mr. A dragged and assaulted her around the house. When Ms. B fled to the bathroom, Mr. A broke down the door and continued the assault inside, also damaging her mobile phone.

Afterwards, as he left the house, Mr. A sent a text message to Ms. B saying, "I think I heard you screaming. I don’t know why, but I hope you got home safely," as if the incident was unrelated to him. Ms. B was diagnosed with facial subcutaneous hemorrhage and concussion, and it is known that she received psychiatric treatment as well.