Yoo Youngjae Sentenced to 2 Years and 6 Months in Prison on Appeal for Forcibly Molesting Sunwoo Eun Sook's Older Sister

Both Prosecution and Defendant's Appeals Dismissed
Original Verdict Upheld

Broadcaster Yoo Youngjae (61), who was sentenced to prison and taken into custody in the first trial for forcibly molesting the older sister of actress Sunwoo Eun Sook, has also received a prison sentence in his appeal trial, identical to the original verdict.

Broadcaster-turned-TV personality Yoo Youngjae, actress Sunwoo Eun Sook. Kyeongin Broadcasting, Starit Entertainment

According to Yonhap News Agency, on July 23, the Criminal Division 2-3 of the Suwon High Court (Presiding Judges Park Gwangseo, Kim Minki, and Kim Jongwoo) dismissed both Yoo's and the prosecution's appeals in the appellate sentencing hearing for Yoo's violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (forcible molestation by a relative). The court sentenced Yoo to two years and six months in prison, the same as in the first trial.

Yoo was indicted for forcibly molesting Sunwoo Eun Sook's older sister, who was his wife at the time, on five occasions between March and October 2023. In January of this year, the first trial court found Yoo guilty, sentencing him to two years and six months in prison, 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, and a five-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities. Yoo, who had been tried without detention, was taken into custody immediately after the first trial verdict.

Yoo appealed the first trial verdict, claiming the sentence was too severe and citing an unfair sentencing. While Yoo had denied all charges during the first trial, he admitted to the indictment in the appellate court. During the appeal hearing, Yoo's legal team pleaded for leniency, stating, "He is reflecting on his serious crime during his incarceration and is living each day with remorse, wishing to apologize to the victim."

However, the court did not accept Yoo's appeal. The judges explained their decision, stating, "The defendant is reflecting on his actions and has made efforts to compensate the victim, including making two substantial criminal deposits. However, the victim, concerned that the incident might harm her younger sister's marriage and cause her emotional pain, concealed the fact of the crime and endured the defendant's molestation, likely experiencing extreme shame. The victim has also declared that she does not wish to accept the deposit and is demanding strict punishment."

During the final hearing, the prosecution sought a five-year prison sentence for Yoo, the same as in the first trial. Meanwhile, Sunwoo Eun Sook and Yoo Youngjae married in 2022 but divorced in April 2024, one year and six months later.