"I Can't Go to Work After Breaking Up With My Girlfriend"... Reservist Ultimately Sentenced to Prison

Absent Without Leave After Breakup, Citing Emotional Distress
History of Threats, Assault, and Extortion... Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

A reservist on active duty who was arrested after being absent without leave from his unit, citing emotional distress following a breakup with his girlfriend, was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

On August 27, the Second Criminal Division of the Gwangju High Court announced that it had sentenced Mr. A (22), who was indicted on charges including desertion and extortion, to one year in prison. This is a reduction of six months from the original sentence of one year and six months handed down in the first trial.

A reservist on active duty who was absent without leave from the military unit due to the pain of breaking up with his girlfriend was sentenced to imprisonment again in the appellate court. The photo is a reference image to aid understanding of the article and is unrelated to the content. Pixabay

Mr. A, who was serving as a reservist on active duty, was brought to trial on May 31, 2023, on charges including evading military duty. At the time, Mr. A told his company commander, "I don't think I can report for duty today. I'm prepared to accept disciplinary action. It's too hard," citing difficulties after breaking up with his girlfriend. He did not report for duty and was arrested at his residence approximately one hour and nineteen minutes later.

It was reported that Mr. A had already been indicted several times on charges including assault and intimidation. In November 2022, he committed extortion and took 11 million won, and in 2023, he allegedly staged a fake traffic accident to extort several million won from teenagers who had borrowed his car. Despite having his car returned in normal condition, he reportedly threatened them by saying, "You caused a hit-and-run accident and must pay for the repairs."

The appellate court stated, "The defendant deserted his unit again despite having been disciplined twice previously for violating the prohibition on leaving the unit. The defendant also extorted money by threatening multiple victims whom he perceived as weaker than himself." The court added, "We determined the sentence by taking into account factors such as the defendant's criminal deposit for the victims."