“Sexual assault 3 times” Ex-B.A.P Himchan files appeal against suspended sentence
Former B.A.P member Himchan, who was prosecuted for sexual assault and received a suspended sentence of 5 years during the first trial, personally filed an appeal against the verdict
According to Star News, on Feb 8th, through his legal representative, Himchan submitted an appeal against the first trial verdict, which includes charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Assault Crimes (using a camera to film and using communication media for lewd acts).
Previously, on Feb 7th, the prosecution also filed an appeal, claiming that the verdict was unfair, resulting in a mutual appeal, which will lead to a second trial.
On Feb 1st, the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Agreement Division 12 sentenced Himchan to 3 years in prison with a 5-year probation period. The court also ordered Himchan to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and imposed a 3-year ban on employment in organizations related to children, adolescents and the disabled.
Himchan has been accused of sexual assault three times, even during the trial for forced indecent act. He was accused of sexually harassing a woman in her 20s who accompanied him at a pension in Namyangju, Gyeonggi on July 24th, 2018. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison in the first trial in February 2021 and was sentenced to 10 months in prison in the second trial held in February 2023. While the second trial for the forced indecent act charge was underway, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Himchan on additional charges of rape, illegal filming and forced indecent act.
Furthermore, Himchan was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul and illegally filming the act in May 2022, as well as sending photos of the victim taken with a camera at the time of the crime to the victim in June 2022.
Moreover, on April 17th, 2023, while still undergoing trial for his sexual assault charges, Himchan was also accused of touching the bodies of two women at a bar in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
The prosecution’s reason for appealing against the first trial verdict was to seek a heavier sentence for Himchan, stating, “Himchan committed crimes of very bad nature, such as threatening and assaulting the victim, and filming illegal videos after committing sexual assault.“
It remains to be seen how Himchan’s appeal will be received by the public. Throughout this trial, Himchan has submitted a total of 20 letters of apology, appealing for leniency. It will be interesting to see the outcome of Himchan’s second trial.
Source: Daum
