National University Music Professor Habitually Molests Accompanists... Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Forced Kisses on Two Victims

Exterior view of Gwangju District Court.

A professor at a national university who was put on trial for habitually sexually molesting women who played piano accompaniment for his students has been sentenced to prison and taken into custody in the courtroom.

On February 11, Presiding Judge Jang Chansu of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 3 (single-judge panel) sentenced Professor A (54), from the College of Arts at a national university in Gwangju, to two years in prison on charges including forcible molestation, and ordered him into immediate custody.

The court also ordered A to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and prohibited him from working for five years at institutions related to children, teenagers, or people with disabilities.

A was indicted on charges of, between March and August 2024, on multiple occasions touching the bodies of two women who were in charge of piano accompaniment for the students he supervised, or attempting to forcibly kiss them.

The investigation found that A repeatedly engaged in unwanted physical contact with the victims, such as hugging them or putting his arm around their shoulders in places like parks and karaoke rooms.

During the trial, A’s side denied the charges, claiming that it was “an expression of encouragement, camaraderie, and gratitude,” and that “there was no intent to molest and the physical contact took place by mutual consent.”

However, the court did not accept A’s arguments.

Judge Jang stated, “The victims were in a position where it was difficult to disobey the professor’s instructions, yet they took the risk of potentially ruining their future to file a complaint,” and held that “all the facts of the indictment can be found guilty.”

He went on to point out, “The degree of blameworthiness is extremely high, given that a teacher committed crimes by exploiting a position of superiority in an educational setting that should be most solemn,” adding, “Some of the victims are undergoing treatment due to severe psychological suffering.”

In particular, the court strongly criticized A’s attitude. Judge Jang said, “From the investigation stage through to the trial, the defendant has not shown any remorse, but instead branded the victims as false accusers, causing secondary harm,” and explained that “a heavy sentence is unavoidable in order to prevent similar cases in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.