"Victim Also Engaged in Media Play": Controversy Surrounds Presiding Judge in 'Busan Roundhouse Kick' Trial

[Anchor]

Remarks made by the presiding judge during the appellate trial of the assailant in the 'Busan Roundhouse Kick' case for retaliatory intimidation are sparking controversy. The court made comments implying that the victim engaged in media play during the proceedings, drawing strong discontent from the victim's side.

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam has the details.

[Reporter]

The assailant, surnamed Lee, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 'Busan Roundhouse Kick' case.

While on trial for attempted rape and murder in 2023, Lee was additionally indicted on charges of telling fellow inmates in a detention center that he would break out and retaliate against the victim. He received a one-year prison sentence in the first trial.

[Fellow Inmate at Detention Center (in 2023): "He told me every single day for two weeks, 'I will go find the victim and kill her, beat her up more.'"]

During the appellate trial for Lee's retaliatory intimidation charges held yesterday (the 9th), a video witness examination was conducted for a YouTuber and fellow inmate of Lee, referred to as A.

A testified that Lee had asked him to broadcast his side of the story on YouTube after being released from prison. A added that while he felt Lee wanted to make the victim scared and prevent her from engaging in media activities, he did not feel that Lee intended to convey threats of retaliation.

However, a dispute broke out in the courtroom between the presiding judge and the attorney representing the victim during this process.

The presiding judge asked A, in effect, "The defendant is merely making his own assertions, so isn't this something the victim shouldn't be frightened of?"

When the victim's attorney protested, the judge remarked, "Hasn't there been a considerable amount of media play by the victim during the trial process as well?" and added, "It feels like the case is being politicized. The judiciary merely checks the facts and applies the law."

The victim's side maintains that it was a process of bringing public attention to flawed initial police investigations, not media play.

[Kim Jin-joo / Victim of the 'Roundhouse Kick' Case: "It makes me out to be someone who believes I can change the case by exerting external pressure. I have respected the judiciary and simply waited quietly..."]

The court plans to hold one more hearing on the 7th of next month to close arguments.

(Video Editing: Chae Chul-ho)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.