A Seoul court found a male K-pop artist guilty of sexually molesting a fellow group member.
In a decision on May 29, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the unidentified K-pop idol, 25, to two years and six months in prison suspended for three years. He was also ordered to complete an 80-hour sexual assault treatment program.
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Korean media reported that a movie with the idol group member was released at a film festival.
"It has been confirmed that a film starring idol member A (25), who was sentenced to prison for forced molestation, was recently screened at a film festival,” the Seoul Shinmun reported.
A representative of the K-pop idol’s agency said, "After learning about the issue, we took measures to 'separate the parties' immediately, and we have been conducting mental counseling and sexual education tailored to each artist.”
"We tried to terminate the contract with Mr. A, but we have not been able to properly contact him for several months," the representative said.
The K-pop group member was charged with indecent assault and “imitative rape” of a fellow member. He touched the body of another member three times from 2017 to 2021 in their dorm and practice room.
The victim reported the incidents to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in 2021 and the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office indicted the K-pop idol for indecent assault and imitative rape in January.
During the trial, he admitted the allegation of indecent assault but denied the allegation of imitative rape.
However, the judge found him guilty, saying, "The victim's statement is specific and consistent."
Under Korea’s Criminal Act, imitative rape is punishable for at least two years of imprisonment.
“A person who, by means of violence or intimidation, inserts his or her sexual organ into another's body part (excluding a genital organ), such as mouth or anus, or inserts his or her finger or other bodily part (excluding a genital organ) or any instrument into another's genital organ or anus shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for a limited term of at least two years,” according to the law.
“Indecent Act by Compulsion” is punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years.
“A person who, through violence or intimidation, commits an indecent act on another shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding 15 million won [about $11,426],” it stated.