Reason for Increased Sentence in Appeal for 50s Man Who Attempted to Abduct Female Student

"No Remorse... Original Sentence Actually Lenient"
10 Months in First Trial → 1 Year and 2 Months in Appeal

A man in his 50s, who was tried on charges of attempting to abduct a minor by offering to pay for a taxi fare, received a heavier sentence in the appeals court than in the initial trial.

On July 16, the Criminal Appellate Division 3-1 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judges: Jang Yunseon, Cho Gyuseol, Yoo Hwanwoo) overturned the original verdict for Mr. Kim, a man in his 50s who was arrested and indicted on the charge of attempted child abduction, and sentenced him to 1 year and 2 months in prison. Previously, the court of first instance had sentenced Kim to 10 months in prison.

Seoul Southern District Court. Photo by Jiye Lee

The appellate court rejected all of Kim's claims regarding factual errors and misapplication of the law. The court stated, "The defendant threatened and intimidated a teenage female student, including apparent threats of physical violence," adding, "Because of this incident, the victim suffered considerable psychological distress." The court further pointed out, "Although the defendant deposited 1 million won for the victim as compensation, the victim did not accept it, and to this day, the defendant continues to deny the crime and shows no remorse. The sentence in the original trial should actually be considered lenient." Immediately after the verdict, Kim protested in court, saying, "This is unfair."

Kim was arrested and indicted on the charge of attempting to abduct a teenage female student, whom he had never met before, by approaching her at a bus stop in Yangcheon District, Seoul, around 12:30 a.m. on March 12, offering to pay her taxi fare, and then trying to abduct her by getting into a taxi together.

According to the investigation, Kim threatened the victim in the taxi by saying things like, "I'm a scary person," and "If you act up, you'll get hurt." He ignored the taxi driver's question about heading to the police station and demanded to be let out instead. After leaving the taxi, he followed the victim for about 8 minutes and for approximately 250 meters, repeatedly telling her, "Don't walk fast," and "Let's walk together." Kim was apprehended by police who responded to a report from the taxi driver.

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