Stepparent Who Sexually Assaulted Stepdaughter Sentenced to 23 Years and Ordered to Pay Additional 300 Million Won

Ordered to Pay Three Times the Usual Compensation for Sexual Violence
Stepfather Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison and 300 Million Won in Damages
2,092 Sexual Assaults Against Stepdaughter Over 13 Years Starting at Age 12

The court has ordered a stepfather who sexually assaulted his stepdaughter over 2,000 times over a period of 13 years to pay 300 million won in damages.

According to the Korea Legal Aid Corporation on May 27, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Agreement Division 34 (Presiding Judge Kim Changmo) ruled in favor of the stepchild, who filed a claim for damages against her stepfather, Mr. A, ordering, "The defendant must pay the plaintiff 300 million won."

Mr. A committed 2,092 acts of sexual violence against the victim from 2008 to 2020, starting when the victim was only 12 years old. As a result of Mr. A's crimes, the victim was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, and her biological mother, after learning of the abuse belatedly, ended her life in shock.

A stepfather who sexually assaulted his stepchild over 2,000 times for 13 years has been ordered by the court to pay 300 million won in damages. Photo by Asia Economy DB

For these crimes, Mr. A was sentenced to 23 years in prison in February of last year. Subsequently, the victim, with legal support from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, filed a lawsuit against Mr. A.

The key issue in this case was the amount of damages. Typically, damages awarded for fatalities in traffic accidents are around 100 million won, and in many cases, damages for victims of sexual violence are also recognized at less than 100 million won. However, the Corporation strongly argued for a higher amount, citing the seriousness of the case and the long-term nature of the harm suffered.

The Corporation stated, "Mr. A's repeated and brutal crimes constitute an unlawful act that severely infringed upon the victim's bodily integrity and sexual autonomy, inflicting irreparable psychological pain on the victim and her mother." The Corporation added, "The victim continues to suffer severe aftereffects, including ongoing psychiatric treatment and medication."

The court, after comprehensively considering all circumstances revealed during the proceedings, including the details of the crimes and the victim's condition, ruled, "Mr. A must pay the victim 300 million won in damages." Since there was no appeal against this ruling, it was finalized on May 17.

Shin Jisik, an attorney at the Korea Legal Aid Corporation who represented the victim, stated, "Damages are determined at the court's discretion, taking into account the unique circumstances of each case. In cases of serious unlawful acts such as sexual violence, a more flexible approach is necessary." He emphasized, "Sexual violence inflicts psychological wounds on victims that are difficult to heal, and in common law countries, punitive damages are even recognized due to the gravity of such cases. Therefore, our courts should also recognize substantial damages from the perspective of providing real relief, prevention, and sanction for victims." He added, "I hope this ruling will serve as a meaningful turning point in the recognition of damages for victims of sexual violence."