Former Bucheon City Councilor Sentenced to Fine for Sexually Assaulting Colleague

A 51-year-old former Bucheon City Councilor, identified as A, has been sentenced to a fine by the court for allegedly sexually assaulting a female colleague during a domestic training program.

On the 27th, Judge Kim Byung-jin of the Incheon District Court's Bucheon Branch sentenced A to a fine of 7 million won for charges of forcible molestation.

The court determined, "After reviewing the evidence, it was acknowledged that the defendant had physical contact with the victim, and considering the body parts involved and the circumstances, the actions fall under the category of molestation that an average person would feel sexually humiliated by."

Furthermore, the court stated, "It can be recognized that there was intent to commit the molestation."

Withdrawal from Party and Resignation Following Sexual Assault Controversy

A is accused of inappropriate behavior towards female city councilors and female staff members belonging to the People Power Party during a joint legislative training session in May 2023 in Jeonnam's Jindo and Suncheon.

Specifically, it is alleged that A threw a pancake at the chest of a female councilor from the People Power Party in a restaurant in Jindo and made sexually suggestive remarks, and also forcibly molested two female councilors and staff members at a restaurant in Suncheon.

The victims filed charges against A for forcible molestation and assault, presenting CCTV footage from the incident as evidence. As the sexual assault controversy led to an investigation, A withdrew from the Democratic Party and resigned from the council.

During the trial, he claimed, "The actions were instigated by female councilors teasing and provoking during the dinner, and there was no intention to molest," but the court did not accept this defense.

Political Reactions and Court's Ruling

This incident has stirred political controversy after allegations emerged that A, a councilor from the Democratic Party two years ago, sexually assaulted female councilors and staff members from the People Power Party.

At the time, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (currently the president) instructed the party to conduct a moral review of the incident.

The court explained its ruling, stating, "Even if there had been previous light physical contact with the opposite sex, it cannot be seen as a situation where unrestricted physical contact is permissible. The nature of the crime is poor, and the defendant has not received forgiveness from the victim."

The prosecution had sought a one-year prison sentence for A in last month's closing arguments, arguing, "The defendant committed an offense by molesting another councilor in a public setting," but the court imposed a lighter fine.

At that time, the People Power Party's Gyeonggi Province chapter issued a statement criticizing the Democratic Party, saying, "The Democratic Party bears significant responsibility for this incident," and pointed out that various sexual misconduct scandals involving local councilors from the Democratic Party have continued, but the party has consistently taken a passive stance.

Image Source: Video provided by fellow councilors, reference photos for the article / gettyimagesbank