"If Only I Could Give a Heavier Sentence"... Juvenile Offenders' Crimes Leave Judge Sighing

Is it true that a judge's sharp remark to juvenile offenders who committed sex crimes is drawing attention?

The Busan High Court recently increased the sentences for the ringleaders, identified as A and B, in the appellate trial of five juvenile offenders charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting a female student from their school and filming and possessing sexually exploitative material.

The court sentenced them to a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 4 years, and a maximum of 3 years and a minimum of 2 years, respectively.

The court stated that, based on the victim's testimony, phone call records, text messages, and transcripts, there was no issue in finding them guilty. The judges rebuked the defendants for denying their crimes with excuses that were difficult to accept until the very end.

The court also noted that although the victim transferred to a different school after the incident, rumors spread, eventually leading her to drop out. She is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment and is unable to lead a normal life.

In particular, the presiding judge mentioned a recently popular drama about the infringement of teachers' rights, pointing out, "The victim did nothing wrong, so why should she be the one to transfer schools?" and "Wouldn't it be more appropriate to transfer the perpetrators instead?"

The judge expressed regret, noting that even after serving their sentences, the perpetrators are far more likely to successfully reintegrate into society than the victim.

The court also addressed the limitations of the current Juvenile Act, stating that there was a limit to how much the sentences could be increased simply because the defendants are minors.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.