The trial of musical actor Nam Kyung-joo (63), who has been indicted on charges of sexual assault against a student, will proceed as a trial with citizen participation in November.

On the 26th, the 29th Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Um Ki-표) held the first preparatory hearing for Nam on charges of sexual intercourse by abuse of supervisory authority, stating, "We will hold a citizen participation trial for two days on November 27 and 30." The court decided to accept the request made by Nam's side.

On this day, Nam Kyung-joo's legal representative expressed the wish for a citizen participation trial, stating, "Rather than asking questions that cause secondary harm or shame regarding sexual assault, we will focus on what the objective relationship was between the defendant and the victim at the time," adding that they wish to receive an evaluation aligned with common sense and what the public judges as social norms.

In particular, Nam Kyung-joo's defense attorney explained, "The prosecution established the supervisory status based on three points: the victim was a student taking the defendant's class at the time, the defendant proposed a teaching assistant position and the victim was scheduled to take it, and the defendant's influence in the musical industry. We plan to focus our defense on whether the defendant could actually exercise specific influence over the victim, considering factors such as the fact that the victim's grade evaluation had already concluded and that the appointment of a teaching assistant depended on the student's will rather than the instructor's unilateral decision."

In response, the victim's legal representative requested, "Just as the right to a citizen participation trial is important, the wishes of the victim must be respected in cases of sexual violence. Please carefully consider whether to hold a citizen participation trial." However, after receiving opinions from both sides, the court decided to proceed with the citizen participation trial.

A citizen participation trial is a system inซึ่ง ordinary citizens participate as jurors in criminal trials to determine guilt or innocence and offer sentencing opinions. The jury's opinion does not have legal binding force but holds advisory effect.

On the first day of the trial on November 27, identity verification, the prosecution's summary statement of the indictment charges, documentary evidence investigations including the playback of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and recordings, and the examination of five witnesses requested by the defendant's side are scheduled to take place. On the second day of the trial, the 30th, the verdict will be reached following the examination of the victim as a witness, the examination of the defendant, the prosecution's sentencing recommendation, and the defendant's final argument.

Previously, Nam Kyung-joo was accused of sexually assaulting a female student in December of last year in the Seocho-gu area of Seoul by taking advantage of his social status and influence.

Following police investigation, the case was forwarded to the prosecution in February of this year, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Division 2 for Investigation of Crimes against Women and Children (Chief Prosecutor Park Ji-na) indicted Nam without detention on April 24 on charges of sexual intercourse by abuse of supervisory authority. Nam Kyung-joo requested referral to criminal mediation during the prosecution stage and attempted to reach a settlement with the victim, but the mediation fell through as the victim refused.

Meanwhile, Nam Kyung-joo is a first-generation musical actor who debuted in 1982. Following the revelation of this case, he was relieved of his position as an associate professor of musical studies in the Department of Performing Arts at Hongik University, where he had been teaching.



(Photo: SBS Entertainment News, reported by Kang Kyung-yoon)