A principal who repeatedly molested and sexually abused elementary school students in his office has been sentenced to prison.
According to the legal community on the 26th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Wonju Branch of the Chuncheon District Court (Chief Judge Lee Seung-ho) sentenced Mr. A (62), who was indicted on charges of molestation by abuse of authority against minors under 13 years of age under the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles against Sexual Abuse, and child abuse as a worker in a child welfare facility under the Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, to 8 years in prison.
The court also ordered Mr. A to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and a child abuse treatment program, and imposed a 10-year employment restriction at institutions related to children and juveniles.
Mr. A, who was appointed principal in September 2022, was put on trial on charges of molesting and sexually harassing 10 victims under the age of 13 about 250 times from April to December 2023 in his office and on the playground.
Investigation results found that, except for two incidents on the playground, all crimes were committed in the principal’s office.
Mr. A’s crimes came to light when friends of one victim filmed the crime scenes to help the victim, created a group chat to discuss countermeasures and collected evidence, and when multiple victimized students, after hearing about another student’s victimization, confessed their own experiences to their parents.
In court, Mr. A denied nearly 200 of the approximately 250 incidents specified, claiming that “the charges are so vague that they infringe on the right to defense and cannot be considered specific.”
However, the court did not accept this, citing the consistency of the victims’ testimonies.
The court criticized, saying, “Considering the location and circumstances of the crimes, the relationship between the defendant and the victims, and the victims’ ages, the nature of the crime is extremely serious.”
It continued, “There are concerns that these crimes will have a negative impact on the healthy growth of the victims,” and pointed out, “The defendant has not been forgiven by the victims.”
Furthermore, the court explained the reason for sentencing, saying, “The victims’ parents are petitioning for a severe punishment, and there is no material showing that the defendant has made efforts to restore the damage.”
Meanwhile, Mr. A was dismissed in February after being referred to the disciplinary committee for education officials.
Korean netizens expressed their dismay at the Principal’s sentence, arguing that the eight-year prison term was too short compared to the horrific crimes he committed. Others praised the children’s courage in gathering evidence. Read some of the comments:
- “He’s a beast. Imagine how many terrible things he’s done over 40 years. 10 victims, 250 assaults, and only 8 years in prison. A bit disappointing, but at least it came to light while he was still in office. He’s been dismissed, lost his pension, now proceed with civil suits and make him penniless.”
- “The real problem is the principal. Even when school violence occurs, he ignores reports just to protect his position. A human trash.”
- “And yet, the sentence is only 8 years… ”
- “For a principal to be like this… utterly rotten. Reveal his face.”
- “Kids these days are cunning… Lower the standard of ‘child’ to 8 years old.”
- “Honestly, some of the kids probably liked it too. Kids also know the taste.”
- “Even 80 years wouldn’t be enough, but just 8?? Did he hire a high-ranking lawyer?”
- “He should be tied up at Gwanghwamun Square and made to suffer the same from every passerby as punishment.”
- “As expected, the 586 generation… No wonder their crime rate was over 40%.”
- “Looks like he’s from the Democratic Party side.”
- “Karma swollen. I understand the principal’s retribution.”
- “What kind of evidence did they have?”
- “Seriously, that f*ing bastard ㅡㅡ”
- “Crazy bastard… molesting kids… why the hell touch children!!!!!!!! Lunatic.”
- “Every day there’s another sex crime article… For crimes against minors, please give the maximum penalty, seriously… makes me curse.”
- “The children themselves gathered the evidence ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
- “If he did something like that, he’s definitely a conservative supporter.”
- “Like Yoon Suk-yeol…”
- “As expected, a conservative, Young 40s.”
- “I wish my daughter didn’t have to attend school with boys. I also don’t want male teachers there. Please make an all-girls safe school with no men. I can’t send her to school with men, including teachers.”
- “Conservative from Chuncheon, a commie.”
- “If he was like this in 2022, what do you think he was doing back when teacher authority was sky-high?”
