"Even the Victim Played the Media": Judge's Remarks Spark Controversy

[Anchor]

The perpetrator in the so-called "Busan roundhouse kick" case is currently on trial for retaliatory intimidation against the victim. However, during the proceedings, the presiding judge sparked controversy by making remarks suggesting that the victim had "engaged in media play."

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam has the details.

[Reporter]

The perpetrator, surnamed Lee, was sentenced to a final 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 was sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial.

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

During the appellate trial for Lee's retaliatory intimidation charges, a video witness examination was held for a YouTuber and fellow inmate of Lee, surnamed A.

Inmate A testified that Lee had asked him to broadcast Lee's side of the story on YouTube after his release. While A stated he felt it was intended to scare the victim and stop her media activities, he testified that Lee did not explicitly ask him to convey threats of retaliation.

During this process, a clash broke out in the courtroom between the victim's legal representative and the presiding judge.

The judge questioned inmate A, suggesting that "the defendant is merely making his own claims, so isn't this something that shouldn't scare the victim?"

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?" The judge added that "it feels like the case is being politicized," and stated, "The court only 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 court and just quietly waited..."]

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

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