Prosecutors Seek 5-Year Prison Term for Man in His 50s Who Hid AIDS Status While Engaging in Prostitution

Request for Five-Year Disclosure of Personal Information and Employment Restrictions

The prosecution has requested a five-year prison sentence, public disclosure of personal information, and employment restrictions for a man in his 50s who was indicted for engaging in prostitution while concealing his HIV/AIDS infection.

Gwangju District Court. Photo by Song Bohyun

On the 5th, during the final hearing held at the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Kim Songhyun), the prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence for Mr. A (50), who was indicted on charges including statutory rape of a minor. The prosecution also requested that Mr. A complete a sex offender treatment program, that his personal information be disclosed and notified, and that he be subject to a five-year employment restriction.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of engaging in prostitution with a middle school student under the age of 16, identified as Ms. B, whom he met through a mobile open chat in July last year, after picking her up in his car.

It was found that he gave Ms. B 50,000 won in cash and two packs of cigarettes in exchange for committing acts of sexual abuse. He is also accused of luring other minors. Investigations revealed that Mr. A had a prior conviction for sexual offenses against children and adolescents, and that he was infected with AIDS at the time. Fortunately, Ms. B was confirmed not to have been infected.

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentencing request, stating, "Mr. A concealed his AIDS infection and continued to have sexual relations with the victimized child three to four times a week for seven months, which makes the nature of the crime extremely serious."

In his final statement, Mr. A appealed for leniency, saying, "I caused great pain to the victim through my wrongful actions," and expressed deep remorse. Mr. A's attorney requested that another ongoing case involving the purchase of sex, which is still under supplementary police investigation, be merged and sentenced together, but the court, considering the detention period, is scheduled to deliver the verdict on March 21.