On August 29, the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 11 (Chief Judge Kim Woo-hyun) opened the first trial for Mr. A, a man in his 30s indicted on quasi-rape charges.
Mr. A’s defense lawyer argued, “Given the defendant’s remorse and sincerity, public and media attention could distort the trial,” and requested that proceedings be closed. However, the court clarified that “the defendant does not have the right to request closure; under the law, hearings may be closed to protect the victim’s privacy. Concerns about reputational damage for the defendant are not valid grounds.”
Still, the bench accepted the prosecution’s argument that public hearings could cause further harm to the victim. Prosecutors noted, “The main evidence is CCTV footage from the vehicle, which graphically recorded the assault. If played in an open court, it could lead to secondary victimization.” The court therefore ordered the trial closed to the public.
The judge added that “a verdict cannot be delivered in closed session,” confirming that the sentencing hearing will be open.
According to the indictment, Mr. A sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s at around 3:30 a.m. on June 21 in a parking lot in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. He was arrested on June 23 after a detention warrant was issued and transferred to prosecutors in custody on June 26.
Mr. A gained recognition after appearing consecutively on ENA and SBS Plus reality shows I Am SOLO and I Am SOLO: Love Forever.
Sources: nate
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