Man Who Filmed Sleeping Woman and Entered Restroom Receives Suspended Prison Sentence on Appeal

[Financial News] A man who stood trial for illegal filming and entering a public facility for sexual purposes has received a suspended prison sentence on appeal.
According to the legal community on the 25th, the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Appellate Division 1, presided over by Chief Judge Ban Jung-woo, sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. The court also ordered 160 hours of community service and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures.
Mr. A was brought to trial for illegally filming a woman’s body using his mobile phone and entering a public restroom for sexual purposes to film.
According to the court ruling, in May 2023, while staying at a hotel in Mapo District, Seoul, with victim Ms. B, Mr. A secretly filmed the body of Ms. B, who was asleep after drinking, using his mobile phone. It was revealed that Mr. A filmed Ms. B’s body in this manner a total of five times until the 22nd of the same month.
In addition, in September of the same year, Mr. A waited for a female user in a first-floor public restroom of a building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and was found to have filmed victim Ms. C by holding his mobile phone over the restroom partition.
The court stated, "The defendant filmed the victims while they were asleep with their bodies exposed and while they were using the restroom, against their will. The nature of the crime is extremely poor and highly blameworthy," and added, "The victims are believed to have suffered significant psychological distress."
The fact that victim Ms. B petitioned for a severe punishment for the defendant was also cited as an unfavorable factor.
However, the court noted, "The defendant has admitted to all the charges and shown remorse. He deposited a total of 7 million won with the court for Ms. B as compensation and paid 8 million won to Ms. C, reaching an amicable settlement." The court continued, "The sentence imposed by the lower court was somewhat excessive and unjust. Accepting the defendant’s appeal, we overturn the original verdict and resentence him."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter