"He Became Neglectful After Getting a Girlfriend"...A Man in His 70s Who Beat and Confined His Son in His 40s Receives Suspended Sentence

[Financial News] A father in his 70s who interfered in his son’s relationship, beat him, and tied up his hands and feet to confine him has received a suspended prison sentence.
According to Yonhap News Agency on the 26th, Judge Park Byung-ju of the Busan District Court’s Criminal Division 12 sentenced the man, identified only as A, to two years in prison, suspended for three years, on charges of aggravated assault and confinement. The court also ordered three years of probation and 40 hours of classes on preventing repeat domestic violence.
A, who lived with his 42-year-old son, believed his son had become neglectful after starting a relationship with a girlfriend. He repeatedly told him to break up, and when the son refused, the two argued. On June 10, after his son apologized, A still said he had not calmed down. He then took out a 23-centimeter tool and struck his son’s back several times. A later dragged his son into the bedroom and tied his hands and feet with tape.
The son was confined for 1 hour and 30 minutes until police arrived at the house, and he suffered multiple abrasions and other injuries that required about three weeks of treatment. Investigators also found that the son had once temporarily quit his job and received severance pay because of his father’s gambling debts from bicycle racing.
The court noted, "The defendant treated the victim based on distorted affection, controlling and suppressing his private life even after he became an adult." It added, "Before this incident as well, he appears to have used inappropriate physical force against the victim and the victim’s younger sister."
The court also said, "The defendant is attributing the cause of the incident to a misunderstanding over family matters with the victim, or to an impulsive assault that occurred during the process of disciplining his child." It added, "There is considerable doubt as to whether the defendant is sincerely reflecting on this offense."
However, the court said it took into account the fact that the victim clearly stated he did not want his father punished, and that the defendant’s daughter also petitioned for leniency.
[email protected] Ahn Ga-eul Reporter