"Even the Victim Played the Media": Controversy Surrounds Presiding Judge in 'Busan Roundhouse Kick' Trial

[Anchor]

Remarks made by the presiding judge during the appellate trial of the attacker in the "Busan Roundhouse Kick" case for retaliatory intimidation are sparking controversy. During the trial, the judge made comments suggesting that the victim had engaged in media play, prompting the victim's side to express strong displeasure.

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 back in 2023, Lee was additionally indicted on charges of telling fellow inmates at 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 Detention Center Inmate (2023): "He talked to me every single day for two weeks, saying, 'I'm going to go find the victim and kill her, I'm going to beat her up more.'"]

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

Witness A testified that Lee had asked him to broadcast his perspective on YouTube after his release, and while he felt there was an intent to make the victim fearful and stop her media activities, A stated it wasn't a request to explicitly convey threats of retaliation.

However, a clash occurred in the courtroom between the presiding judge and the attorney representing the victim during this process.

The judge questioned witness A with the remark, "The defendant is making his own arguments, but isn't this something that shouldn't frighten the victim?"

When the victim's attorney objected, the judge stated, "Wasn't there a significant amount of media play by the victim during the trial process as well?" and added, "It feels like the case is becoming politicized," while noting, "The court merely checks the facts and applies the law."

The victim's side maintains that the publicization process was about addressing flawed initial police investigations, not media play.

[Kim Jin-ju / Victim of the 'Roundhouse Kick' Case: "It ends up portraying me as someone who believes she can apply external pressure to change the case. I have respected the court and simply waited quietly..."]

The court plans to hold one more hearing on October 7 and close the arguments.

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