Man in His 30s Used Dual Identity to Threaten and Sexually Assault Women

Seocho Police Refer Park to Prosecution Without Detention

A man in his 30s who used a "dual identity" on KakaoTalk to threaten and sexually assault women has been apprehended.

According to a report by Yonhap News on October 31, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul referred a man in his 30s, surnamed Park, to the prosecution without detention on October 17. Park is accused of threatening and sexually assaulting dozens of women over a period of more than three years starting around 2022. Among the victims, there were reportedly minors as well. Investigations revealed that Park approached over 100 women across the country during this period.

Seocho Police Station, Seoul. Yonhap News Agency

Park reportedly obtained the victims' contact information through a secondhand trading platform. He would request to meet for a direct transaction, but the victims, feeling uncomfortable, would cut off contact.

Subsequently, the victims received messages from an individual identified as "A," who claimed to be Park's ex-girlfriend. "A" sent messages stating, "Park sexually harassed you," and proposed that they "take revenge together." The victims complied with "A"'s instructions to threaten Park, and in the process, obtained a video of Park, naked, admitting to and apologizing for the alleged sexual harassment.

Several hours later, the victims were contacted by Park, who said, "I will report the illegal filming and blackmail I suffered to the police," and pressured them by suggesting, "Let's meet first and resolve this." Out of fear and guilt, the victims were led by Park to a motel, where they were sexually assaulted.

One of the victims filed a complaint regarding the case, prompting a police investigation. The police concluded that Park had used a dual identity, pretending to be his own ex-girlfriend to contact and threaten the victims. "A" was found to be a fictitious person.

The police discovered that Park had contacted over 100 women using the same method and traveled nationwide to commit these crimes. However, only 20 to 30 victims have provided statements to the police.

Park faces more than 10 charges, including violations of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Offenses (production of sexual exploitation materials and rape), violations of the Child Welfare Act (coercion into lewd acts, prostitution, and sexual harassment), rape, and intimidation. At the end of August, the police applied for an arrest warrant for "A." The prosecution returned the request, citing the need for further investigation, and the police plan to reapply for the warrant.

Park Sunghyun, the managing attorney at Law Office You, who represents one of the victims, explained to Yonhap News, "The victim believed she was the perpetrator and felt she had no other choice but to comply with Park's demands." He added, "Even now, nearly three years after the incident, she is still receiving psychiatric counseling."