"Why Won't You Meet Me?" Man Swings Helmet at Ex-Girlfriend, Then Files False Accusation Against Her

[The Financial News] A man in his 30s who struck his ex-girlfriend on the head with a helmet after she refused his request to resume their relationship has been given a suspended prison sentence. He later filed a false accusation against the victim, but the court dismissed his claim.
According to the legal community on the 26th, on the 16th, Judge Kim Se-yong of the Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced Mr. Kim (32), who was indicted on charges of aggravated assault and false accusation, to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence and ordered 160 hours of community service.
Mr. Kim was brought to trial for grabbing the victim, Ms. Kim (34), by the hair and pushing her, then striking her on the head with a bicycle helmet found on a shoe rack at her home in Gwangjin District, Seoul, at around 2:28 p.m. on June 26 last year.
The two had dated for about three weeks from early May that year before breaking up. Mr. Kim demanded they get back together, but when the victim refused and reported to the 112 Police Emergency Number that Mr. Kim was trying to enter her home, he became enraged and committed the assault. The victim sustained injuries that required about two weeks of medical treatment.
Later, in September of the same year, Mr. Kim filed a complaint at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, claiming, "I did not assault her; she fell on her own and made a false report," and requested that the victim be prosecuted for false accusation.
However, the court found the victim's testimony to be consistent and credible, stating, "The victim testified that after Mr. Kim grabbed her by the hair, she felt a shock like an electric current and lost consciousness, and that there was no object other than the bicycle helmet nearby that could have caused the head injury." The court added that this was supported by other evidence. Furthermore, the court determined that "Mr. Kim filed a false report with the intent to have the victim criminally punished," and found him guilty of false accusation as well.
Mr. Kim's side argued that there was only a scuffle while trying to take the victim's phone, but the court did not accept this claim.
The court pointed out, "It is difficult to see that the defendant is genuinely remorseful for his actions. Not only did he show a poor attitude during the investigation, but he also went so far as to falsely accuse the victim." However, the court noted, "The victim's injuries were not particularly severe, and the helmet was not considered a highly dangerous object." The court also took into account that Mr. Kim deposited 5 million won with the court and had no prior criminal record.
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter