A musical actor was sentenced to imprisonment for doing “bad things” to underage students during dance lessons
A musical actor in his 30s, who was handed over to trial for sexually harassing 10 students including minors during dance lessons, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.
According to legal circles on February 3rd, the 29th Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Kim Chang-hyung) sentenced musical actor A (36), who was indicted on charges such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (forced indecent act), to one year and six months in prison. They also ordered the completion of an 80-hour sexual violence treatment program and restrictions on employment at organizations related to children and the disabled for three years.
A was handed over to trial on charges of habitually harassing 10 students including minors for months from September 2019, such as touching certain parts of their bodies while conducting dance lessons.
A’s side initially denied the allegations to the effect that “it only happened during lessons and was not intentional”, but admitted the charges and appealed for leniency during the trial.
A’s lawyer appealed through the final argument, saying, “He tried to work hard in class, and this result came out. Please consider the fact that he’s a first-time offender and he’s reflecting on himself.”
A claimed, “I want to reach an agreement with the victims as much as possible, but my house’s condition isn’t that good.” In closing arguments, he said, “I’m very sorry for the children who felt that they were sexually harassed. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”
The court criticized, “The guilt isn’t light in light of the number and age of victims as well as the number of crimes in the case in which the accused repeatedly committed crimes against the will of the victims while teaching dance. Except for one victim, he was not forgiven by the rest of the victims.”
They added, “However, it was taken into account that the accused acknowledged and reflected on all the crimes, the degree of tangible force (power exercised in the course of the crime) was not strong and there was no criminal punishment history.”
A was not arrested in court even after being sentenced to prison. The court explained, “It is judged that the accused has no fear of destroying evidence. It also means giving him an opportunity to reach an agreement with the victims (by the date of the second trial).”
A appealed on the day of the first trial.
