Following a Woman, Applying a Headlock and Trespassing... Turns Out to Be a District Office Official

Broke into Woman's Villa Attempting Rape
Court: "Difficult to Recognize Intent to Rape Based Solely on Testimony"

A former public official who followed a woman returning home late at night, assaulted her, and even broke into her house was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 11th, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court (Presiding Judge Dong-sik Lee) sentenced Mr. A, in his 40s, who was tried on charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (residential intrusion rape), to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension.

Mr. A, who was a public official at a district office in Seoul at the time of the crime, is accused of breaking into a villa where a woman was returning home on the night of September 3 last year and attempting to rape her. The victim was reportedly dragged into the house while being put in a 'headlock' by Mr. A.

The court found it difficult to recognize the intent to rape based solely on Mr. A’s actions and the victim’s testimony. However, it acknowledged the charges of residential intrusion and assault as a reduced charge. The court explained the sentencing by stating, "Considering the circumstances and methods of the crime, the culpability is not light," and "taking into account the defendant’s deep remorse for the crime."