Sex Offender Released Due to Police Mistake Encounters Victim on the Street

Allegations of Sexual Exploitation through Gaslighting
Released after Ten Days Due to System Error

A man in his 40s in Ulsan was handed over to the prosecution on charges of gaslighting (psychological domination) and sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s whom he met through a club. However, due to a police mistake during the investigation, he was released after ten days, leading to an incident where he encountered the victim on the street.

On the 24th, the Ulsan Dongbu Police Station announced that they had booked and sent a man in his 40s, Mr. A, to prosecution on charges including special assault and attempted rape. Mr. A is accused of psychologically dominating a woman in her 20s, Ms. B, for two months starting from October through a music club he operated, and then sexually assaulting her.

Mr. A, who has also authored books related to animals, approached Ms. B, who joined the club in May, by saying he would teach her music. He then confined Ms. B through gaslighting and repeatedly sexually assaulted her, claiming it was "a task given by God." When Ms. B resisted, he did not hesitate to use violence. She was only able to escape Mr. A’s house after being discovered by her parents.

The police, upon receiving the report, urgently arrested Mr. A. They also booked his wife, Ms. C, on suspicion of aiding and abetting, believing she was aware of her husband’s crimes.

Mr. A, who was arrested at the end of last month, was released after only ten days in custody due to a police error that raised concerns of 'illegal detention.' After discovering a computer system error, the police reapplied for an arrest warrant, but the prosecution released Mr. A fearing controversy over illegal detention. This led to an incident where the released Mr. A unexpectedly encountered the victim on the street. Subsequently, the police applied again for an arrest warrant against Mr. A. However, the court reportedly dismissed it, citing reasons such as his stable residence and the fact that most evidence of the crime had been secured.

The Ulsan police stated that they are investigating the detailed circumstances regarding the administrative mistake made by the Dongbu Police Station, while assigning experienced officers to strengthen victim protection.