Active Police Officer Sexually Harasses Female Suspect During Transport

Molestation Including Touching Parts of the Body... DNA Detected
Crime Committed While Female Escorting Officer Was Away

A male police officer who sexually harassed a female victim while escorting her to the prosecution detention center during custody investigation has been brought to trial.

According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, the Criminal Division 2 of Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Yoon Dong-hwan) indicted Sergeant A of Jeonju Wansan Police Station on charges of forcible molestation and abuse of authority.

Sergeant A is accused of forcibly molesting female victim B by touching parts of her body while escorting her to the prosecution detention center on November 8 last year during her custody investigation. Investigation revealed that Sergeant A committed the crime while the female police officer who was escorting the victim had temporarily left her post.

When escorting female victims, a police officer of the same gender must always accompany them, but this regulation was not properly followed at the time of the incident. Sergeant A is believed to have committed the crime in the waiting room inside the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office detention center.

Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office. Yonhap News

Victim B reported the sexual harassment during an interview with the prosecution’s human rights officer. Upon learning of the crime, the prosecution immediately formed an investigation team. Subsequently, on November 22 last year and again on the 14th of this month, two search and seizure operations were conducted to collect evidence, after which Sergeant A was brought to trial.

As a result of DNA collection and comparison investigations conducted on Sergeant A, a large amount of Sergeant A’s DNA was detected on the clothes worn by victim B at the time and on her body. However, even after the DNA analysis results were released, Sergeant A strongly denied the crime, claiming that "the DNA was likely transferred or contaminated."

After the prosecution began its investigation, the police suspended Sergeant A from duty and are currently conducting an internal investigation. A prosecution official stated, "A police officer, who has the duty to protect human rights, targeted a crime suspect as a victim," and added, "We will do our best to maintain the prosecution to ensure that the defendant receives punishment commensurate with the crime committed."