▲ Seoul High Court
A man in his 30s who sexually exploited a minor has been sentenced to four years in prison in his appellate trial, after it was revealed that he submitted an absurd apology letter claiming he was the victim, despite pretending to show remorse in court.
The Chuncheon Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the 31-year-old defendant, identified as A, who was charged with violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles against Sexual Abuse.
The appellate court upheld the original sentence of four years in prison.
The court also confirmed the original orders, including a seven-year ban on employment at institutions related to children and adolescents and three years of probation.
A is accused of sexually assaulting a minor, B, who is under 16 years of age, on five separate occasions.
In one of these instances, he was also charged with secretly filming the act to produce sexually exploitative material.
Previously, the first-instance court sentenced A to four years in prison, stating that his crimes were anti-ethical and the nature of the offenses was severe.
Disputing the ruling, A admitted to all charges during the appellate court hearing.
However, the apology letter he submitted to the court revealed a completely contradictory attitude.
In the letter, A wrote, "Why am I being punished just because I am a man, when I am the one who was victimized?"
Upon seeing this, the court sharply criticized the defendant's duplicitous behavior.
Presiding Judge Lee Eun-hye asked A, "Do you feel aggrieved once you return to the detention center, even though you say you are sorry in court?"
She continued to press him, saying, "You seem to feel very wronged, so please tell us your honest feelings."
A then confessed, "That is not what I truly feel, but I was always under the influence of drugs, so I was never in my right mind."
The court stated that it had taken into account mitigating factors, such as the absence of violence or threats during the crimes.
However, the court explained that it dismissed the appeal because the victim has refused the settlement money and is calling for a stern punishment.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.