Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Sexually Exploiting Minor, Claims "Unfair" Treatment Because He Is Male

A man in his 30s who sexually exploited a minor has been sentenced to four years in prison in his appellate trial, after it was revealed that he submitted an absurd letter of apology claiming he was the victim, despite pretending to be remorseful in court.

The Chuncheon Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal of a 31-year-old man, identified as A, who was charged with violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles against Sexual Abuse.

The appellate court upheld the original sentence of four years in prison.

The court also maintained the original orders, which include a seven-year ban on employment at child and youth-related institutions and three years of probation.

A is accused of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 16, identified as B, five times.

One of these instances also included charges of secretly filming the victim to produce sexually explicit material.

The first-instance court had previously sentenced A to four years in prison, stating that his crimes were anti-ethical and the nature of his offenses was severe.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, A appealed, and during the appellate trial, he admitted to all charges.

However, the letter of apology he submitted to the court revealed a completely different attitude.

In the letter, A wrote, "Why should I be punished just because I am a man, when I am the one who suffered?"

Upon seeing this, the court sharply criticized the defendant's duplicitous behavior.

Presiding Judge Lee Eun-hye asked A, "Do you feel aggrieved once you return to the detention center, even though you apologize in court?"

The judge further pressed him, saying, "You seem to feel very unfairly treated, so please tell us your honest feelings."

A then confessed, "That is not how I truly feel, but I was always under the influence of drugs, so I was never in my right mind."

The court stated that it had taken into account mitigating factors, such as the absence of violence or threats.

However, the court explained that it dismissed the appeal because the victim has refused to accept the deposited compensation and has petitioned for a strict punishment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.