14-Year-Old Girl Gang-Raped in Public Restroom... 'I Couldn't Fathom the Pain I Caused'—Appeal for Leniency After 7 Years

[Financial News] The Prosecution Service has sought prison sentences for four men and women in their 20s who, seven years ago, gang-raped a middle school girl of similar age, illegally filmed the act, and distributed the footage.

According to the legal community on the 5th, the Daejeon District Court's 12th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Kim Byung-man) held a final hearing for A (22, who was 15 at the time), the main perpetrator indicted and detained on charges including violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (aggravated rape), aggravated assault, and violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory threats), as well as three accomplices including B (22, who was 15 at the time), who were indicted without detention.
The Prosecution Service requested a 14-year prison sentence for A. Additionally, they sought an order for 80 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, disclosure and notification of personal information, and a 10-year employment restriction.
For the three accomplices, including B (22, who was 15 at the time), who were indicted without detention for participating in A's sexual crimes, the Prosecution Service requested prison sentences of 3 to 7 years each, 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, disclosure and notification of personal information, and employment restrictions for 5 to 10 years.
A and three others were brought to trial for raping victim C (who was 14 at the time) in a public restroom and elsewhere on August 28, 2018, and for broadcasting the victim’s nude images live via social networking service (SNS).
In particular, A reportedly assaulted C using a dangerous object in a sadistic manner, filmed the rape, and threatened to distribute the footage if C reported the crime.

Fearing retaliation, the victim filed a complaint with the police in February last year, nearly six years after the incident.
The police conducted a ten-month investigation but concluded there was 'no charge' for the main offenses, including violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (aggravated rape), and forwarded only part of the case.
However, the Prosecution Service requested a reinvestigation within four days, and the police subsequently reinvestigated the previously dismissed parts and forwarded them to the Prosecution Service.
After taking over the case, the Prosecution Service conducted supplementary investigations, including 11 interviews with those involved and reviewing visitation records over about three months. They uncovered additional accomplices and further evidence of A's threats to silence the victim, and added related charges of aggravated rape.
On this day, the Prosecution Service stated, 'Even after a considerable period following the crime, A repeatedly contacted the victim and verbally abused her, constituting secondary harm.' They added, 'A only appeared to admit the crime after being detained, making it difficult to recognize genuine remorse.' The Prosecution Service emphasized, 'Strict punishment is inevitable to make clear the gravity of the law.'

In his final statement, A said, 'I could not fathom the pain that must have accumulated in the victim’s heart for years because of my wrongdoing. I will do my utmost to help the victim recover,' appealing for leniency.
A's attorney also stated in the final argument, 'He sincerely regrets having denied the charges and evaded responsibility at the start of the investigation. Please consider his belated but genuine remorse and show leniency.'
The three accomplices also expressed in their final statements, 'We regret our wrongdoing from seven years ago and sincerely apologize to the victim.'
In court, C said, 'I have overcome many hardships until now. There were many times I wanted to give up, but now I will move forward for my future based on the outcome of this trial. Please remember this when determining the sentences.'
The sentencing hearing for the defendants is scheduled for the 22nd.
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Soo-yeon Reporter