A school inspector from the North Chungcheong Office of Education who installed illegal cameras at training facilities and the homes of relatives has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years.
On Wednesday, July 15, Judge Cho Jin-yong of the Cheongju District Court sentenced the defendant, identified as A (in his 50s), who was indicted while under detention on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (filming using cameras and trespassing into public facilities for sexual purposes). The court also ordered the defendant to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
In addition, the court imposed a period of probation, 160 hours of community service, and a three-year ban on employment at institutions related to children and adolescents.
Judge Cho stated, "As an educator who served as a private school teacher and an official at the Office of Education, the defendant was in a position to guide students based on high moral standards and integrity. However, this crime has caused great disappointment to students and damaged public trust in the teaching profession as a whole."
The judge further ruled, "The defendant habitually carried small cameras for the purpose of committing these crimes, and the last camera purchased was bought while the crimes were ongoing. Therefore, the defendant's claim that the acts were impulsive is not accepted."
The court added, "Although the defendant claims the crimes were committed due to psychopathological reasons, the fact that he first received treatment after the crimes were discovered suggests it is difficult to rule out the possibility that his condition was triggered by stress from the change in his status during the investigation."
The judge also reprimanded the defendant, noting, "Among the three identified victims, two have refused the criminal settlement money and are petitioning for a harsh punishment. The defendant committed these crimes just one month after completing a sexual violence prevention program at the North Chungcheong Office of Education."
However, Judge Cho explained the sentencing decision, stating, "The defendant did not store or distribute the footage on other media, and one of the victims, who is a relative, has appealed for leniency. Considering that the risk assessment for sexual violence recidivism also showed a low score, we have decided to grant an opportunity for rehabilitation through probation and appropriate treatment rather than imposing an actual prison sentence."
A was brought to trial on charges of illegally filming the bodies of 41 people by secretly installing cameras in six locations, including education training facilities, the homes of relatives, and public restrooms in restaurants, between January and February of this year.
A total of 47 pieces of illegal footage were discovered on the four small cameras used in the crimes.
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