Three Years in Prison for Abusive Boyfriend Who Forced 24 Directives and Letter Relinquishing Bodily Autonomy

Between University Seniors and Juniors... Even Forced to Do Assignments
Court: "Trampled on Human Dignity and Value"

A 20-something university student who had returned to school was sentenced to prison for forcing his girlfriend, who was his junior at university, to comply with 24 directives and even making her sign a letter relinquishing her bodily autonomy.

According to Yonhap News on July 6, Cheongju District Court Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judge Jeong Heecheol) sentenced Mr. A (28), who was tried on charges including assault, intimidation, and battery, to three years in prison.

Mr. A, a returning student at a university in North Chungcheong Province, began dating Ms. B, who was five years younger and whom he met at school in July 2022. Just one month into the relationship, he threatened to reveal to others that Ms. B had spoken ill of an acquaintance behind their back, and forced her to handwrite 24 directives. These included unreasonable demands such as 'No socializing, manage yourself well, know your place.'

Cheongju District Court Exterior

This was not all. In order to isolate and monitor Ms. B, Mr. A made her record and send all surrounding sounds while she was at school, and required her to report via messenger with photos every 10 to 30 minutes detailing 'where she was, with whom, and what she was doing.' Even at home, Ms. B was forced to keep a video call running at all times.

Over time, Mr. A's abusive behavior became even more vicious. In September of that year, after claiming Ms. B had violated one of the directives, he assaulted her severely and made her sign a letter relinquishing her bodily autonomy. About two months later, he forced Ms. B to film a video of herself engaging in a simulated sexual act and send it to him. In December of the same year, he assaulted her indiscriminately in his car, causing injuries requiring five weeks of medical treatment, simply because she did not arrive early at a meeting place. In addition, he made her complete his midterm substitute assignments and assaulted her if he was dissatisfied with the results. It was revealed that during their seven-month relationship, which lasted until January 2023, Mr. A assaulted Ms. B a total of 12 times.

Presiding Judge Jeong pointed out, "The defendant trampled on the dignity and value of another human being under the guise of a romantic relationship, and the nature of his crimes is extremely egregious." He continued, "The psychological pain the victim continues to suffer as a result of these crimes is beyond measure. Nevertheless, the defendant denied the charges and showed no remorse during the investigation." Mr. A appealed the verdict.