Former Kyonggi University president removed from post a day after taking office over alleged indecent assault of a student sentenced to eight months in prison in first trial

[Financial News] The former president of Kyonggi University, who was put on trial on charges of forcibly molesting a student and removed from the post just one day after taking office, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.
Judge Kang Seong-jin, sitting alone in Criminal Division 16 of the Seoul Central District Court, sentenced A to eight months in prison on the 13th for forcible indecent assault and ordered A to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. The court did not, however, order A detained in court.
A is accused of summoning a student separately and forcibly molesting them in October 2024, while working as a professor at a university in the Seoul metropolitan area.
The court found the victim’s account of what happened between the professor and student natural and difficult to fabricate, and deemed the testimony credible. Judge Kang said, “The offense committed by the defendant, a university professor, in summoning a student separately and molesting them is highly reprehensible, and the victim must have been deeply shocked.” He added, “After the offense, the defendant’s side portrayed the victim as having falsely accused the defendant of a sex crime for financial gain, causing considerable secondary harm,” and said the court considered it an aggravating factor that the victim, citing severe psychological distress, had called for harsh punishment.
A was elected Kyonggi University’s new president last May by a decision of the board of the school foundation Kyonggi Academy. Controversy erupted after it belatedly came to light that A had previously been indicted on charges of forcible indecent assault. Under Kyonggi University’s rules, faculty members indicted in criminal cases are subject to removal from their posts.
Before the inauguration, the board discussed whether to cancel the appointment but could not reach a decision because of differing legal interpretations. A took office as president as scheduled on July 22. The following day, the 23rd, the board convened, abruptly removed A from the post and began disciplinary proceedings.
[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter