A married couple has been sentenced to prison for filing a false report of sexual assault in an attempt to extort settlement money.

On July 7, Judge Jeon Seong-jun of the Jeju District Court sentenced a woman in her 30s, identified as A, and her husband in his 40s, identified as B, to two years and one year in prison, respectively. Both were indicted while under arrest on charges including false accusation and obstruction of justice.

The couple conspired to commit the crime on September 25 of last year, falsely claiming that A had been sexually assaulted by a man named C, whom she met while working at an adult entertainment establishment. They were brought to trial for wasting public resources by causing police to be dispatched based on their false report.

Investigations revealed that the couple plotted the crime with the intention of securing a settlement payment.

On the day of the incident, A went to a hotel with C after drinking together and sent a text message to the police pleading for help, while B filed a false missing person report regarding his wife.

As a result, approximately 20 police officers were dispatched to the scene to conduct searches and inquiries.

A later submitted a written statement to the responding officers, claiming that she had been raped and assaulted by C.

The court explained the sentencing decision by stating, "The crime of false accusation undermines the criminal justice system and puts the victim at risk of unjust punishment, necessitating strict punishment. Furthermore, the defendants' actions obstructed the police from performing their primary duties." The court added, "However, we have taken into account that the defendants confessed and expressed remorse, and have made some efforts toward victim restitution."

(Photo: Yonhap News)