According to the Gimcheon branch of the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office, four members of the Iranian national athletics team were charged on July 17 with aggravated rape under South Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
The incident occurred on May 31 at a hotel in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, which served as the Iranian delegation’s team accommodation. The victim, a Korean woman in her 20s, was reportedly assaulted by the men during the early hours of the morning.
Initially, police arrested two athletes and one coach at the scene. Surveillance footage later revealed the involvement of a fourth Iranian athlete, who was also taken into custody. However, the police released this athlete without informing the victim or seeking a detention warrant, later transferring the case to the prosecution under non-custodial status.
Upon receiving the case, prosecutors summoned the victim for a formal identification process. She positively identified two of the previously detained athletes and the released athlete as perpetrators. Prosecutors subsequently secured an arrest warrant for the previously released individual and placed him in custody.
Investigations also determined that the Iranian coach played a key role by acting as a lookout during the crime.
A prosecution official emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “This is a grave crime involving the gang rape of a Korean woman by members of a foreign national team visiting for an international sporting event. We will ensure the case proceeds with full accountability to match the severity of the offense.”
The case has sparked widespread outrage in Korea, especially over the initial handling of the investigation and the perceived failure to promptly detain all suspects. Legal proceedings are now set to follow as prosecutors seek appropriate punishment.