He had previously been sentenced to two years in prison.
A recent verdict by the Gwangju High Court has sparked backlash and criticism from international netizens for “Once again women are disappointed.
On September 11, a man in his 80s who attempted to rape his daughter-in-law was released from prison after the Gwangju High Court suspended a two-year sentence handed down by a lower court.
The perpetrator filed for trial, and the Jeju High Court’s 1st Criminal Division ruled that the two-year prison sentence should be suspended for four years. The man was ordered to undergo 40 hours of sexual assault treatment and was banned from working in institutions that work with children, youth, or the disabled for five years.
The perpetrator attempted to rape his Vietnamese daughter-in-law in 2021. The victim’s children and the man’s grandchildren, a four-year-old and a five-year-old, reportedly witnessed the crime.
The appeal verdict was based on consideration of the nature and severity of the crime, the damage suffered by the victim and the relationship between the subjects involved. In addition, the victim’s statement asking that her father-in-law not be punished played a role in the verdict.
The victim did not report the crime until 2023. In 2021, when the incident occurred, her husband allegedly told her that he could not continue his relationship with her if she reported the crime to the police. Although during the trial, the convicted man maintained that he was innocent and that the victim was lying, he admitted his guilt during the appeal hearing.
The case has sparked anger and frustration among many international Internet users over the lack of strong laws in South Korea to combat sexual violence against women.
What’s happening in Korea
Share this post
