30s Man Given Suspended Sentence for Attempting Illegal Filming in Wife's Store Restroom

Prison Term Increased on Appeal

A man in his 30s who attempted illegal filming by installing a camera in the women's restroom of a store operated by his wife was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 21st, the 2nd Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Young-ah) overturned the original verdict for A (35), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, etc. (trespassing in a public place for sexual purposes), and sentenced him to 8 months in prison with a 3-year suspension. This is an increase from the first trial's sentence of 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

A was tried for installing a smoke detector equipped with a real-time filming and recording camera inside the women's restroom of a building in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, in March 2023, attempting to film an unspecified number of women. The crime scene was the restroom inside the store operated by A's wife.

Initially, A denied the charges. He claimed that after purchasing a smoke detector with filming and recording functions, he dismantled the camera function before installing it. However, investigations revealed that it was an illegal camera disguised as a smoke detector.

The appellate court stated, "Considering the location where the defendant installed the camera, the number of times he attempted illegal filming, and the device used for illegal filming, the nature of the crime is serious," and added, "Taking into account that the defendant has admitted his wrongdoing, the sentence is determined comprehensively."