Photographer Receives Suspended Prison Sentence for Kissing Cheek of 6-Year-Old Girl Who Was Not Smiling

Claimed "No Intent" After Grabbing Child's Face With Both Hands and Kissing Her, Says Photographer

A photographer in his 40s received a suspended prison sentence after kissing the cheek of a 6-year-old girl during a kindergarten graduation photo shoot.

According to the Korea Legal Aid Corporation on May 13, the Jeonju District Court Criminal Division 12 (presiding judge Kim Dohyeong) sentenced photographer A (43), who was indicted for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, to two years and six months in prison, suspended for three years. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures.

Korea Legal Aid Corporation. Yonhap News

Photographer A was put on trial for touching the stomach and back of child B (6) with his hand, saying she was not smiling during a graduation photo shoot at a kindergarten auditorium in Jeonju on November 2, 2023. He was also accused of suddenly grabbing B's face with both hands from behind while she was sitting on the floor and kissing her.

B immediately reported the incident to her parents and teacher after being kissed. After reporting to the police, the parents and teacher received assistance from a public defender affiliated with the Korea Legal Aid Corporation.

A requested a jury trial. However, the victim's attorney asked for the exclusion of a jury trial out of concern for additional psychological harm to B, and the court accepted this request.

A claimed, "It happened while trying to comfort B, who was not smiling," and insisted there was no intent. However, the court explained its sentencing by stating, "Considering the victim's statement that she 'felt very, very bad and uncomfortable and wanted the police to do something,' as well as the testimony of the kindergarten teacher, it appears the victim suffered significant sexual discomfort and psychological trauma."

Won Myeongan, an attorney from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation representing B, explained, "This case confirms that even physical contact with a very young child can constitute intentional indecent assault if the victim objectively feels sexual shame and disgust, regardless of whether the perpetrator intended sexual gratification."