"Feigning Water Play, 'Bad Touch' on Women: 8 Reported at Outdoor Pool, Including a Teen Victim of a Foreign National"

Lifeguard: "I Saw Him Touch More Than 15 Women"
Man in His 30s Ultimately Detained
Han River Pools See More Reports of Illegal Filming and Harassment

A foreign man suspected of approaching women under the pretense of playing in the water and making physical contact at an outdoor swimming pool crowded with around 200 vacationers has been placed under arrest. In recent days, as illegal filming incidents and sexual assault complaints have continued at swimming pools along the Han River in Seoul, concerns over the prevention of sexual crimes at crowded summer water recreation facilities have resurfaced.

A man in his 30s of Syrian nationality, Mr. A, was arrested for inappropriate physical contact while behaving as if playing in the water with female vacationers at an outdoor swimming pool in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by JTBC

According to police and a report by JTBC on August 18, the incident occurred on the afternoon of August 9 at an outdoor swimming pool in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. A man in his 30s with Syrian nationality, referred to as Mr. A, was reported for inappropriate physical contact while acting as if he was playing in the water with female vacationers. At the time, there were reportedly about 200 people at the pool.

Among the 8 Reported Victims, Some Are Minors

At first, the behavior seemed like simple water play, but a vigilant safety personnel member noticed something suspicious about Mr. A’s actions. The safety guard testified that Mr. A repeatedly brought his hands to the chest area of women while lifting or grabbing women by the shoulder. The pool management ultimately made an announcement to all guests, advising them to refrain from bodily contact, but similar behavior reportedly continued. The safety guard stated that he personally witnessed over 15 women being subjected to this. The number of victims who actually filed police reports amounts to eight. Among them is a minor in her teens.

After the report was filed, Mr. A changed his clothes and tried to leave the swimming pool but was stopped by the safety guards. Later, he was arrested at the scene by the police who arrived. During the police investigation, Mr. A reportedly denied the charges, claiming that "he was just playing in the water." JTBC

After the report was filed, Mr. A changed his clothes and tried to leave the swimming pool but was stopped by the safety personnel. He was subsequently arrested at the scene by the police who arrived. During the police investigation, Mr. A reportedly denied the charges, claiming that he was "just playing in the water." However, on August 12, the court issued a warrant for his detention, citing concerns about destruction of evidence and the risk of flight.

This incident has drawn further attention as similar safety concerns have been raised continuously at popular swimming pools and water parks across the country this summer. The most prominent example is the Han River swimming pools in Seoul. With low admission fees, night-time openings, and music events spreading by word of mouth, especially the Yeouido Han River Swimming Pool became popular among young people as a so-called 'cost-effective water night’ hotspot.

Sexual Crime Advisory Issued at Popular Vacation Spots

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Hangang Headquarters, from the opening on June 19 until July 26, a total of 262,433 citizens used the six Han River swimming pools and water play facilities. Visitors to the Yeouido pool alone reached 93,850 people, an increase of about 65% from the same period last year. With the sharp rise in guests, side effects have emerged. The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul booked a man on July 17 for secretly filming the body of a woman lying on a sunbed at the Yeouido Han River Swimming Pool, and launched an investigation. Police have strengthened patrols at the scene and are inspecting for illegal hidden cameras around changing rooms and restrooms. The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Hangang Headquarters has also strengthened management through CCTV monitoring and other measures.

On the night of the 13th, with tropical nights continuing, citizens are cooling off by playing in the water at Yeouido Hangang Swimming Pool in Seoul. The photo is not related to specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The fact that physical contact may naturally occur in places such as swimming pools or water parks does not justify intentional contact. Article 298 of the current Criminal Act stipulates that a person found guilty of sexual molestation through violence or intimidation may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 10 years or fined up to 15 million won. The specific offense charged and the penalty imposed depend on the details of the conduct and the outcome of the investigation and trial.

Filming a person in swimwear without their consent can also be punishable. Under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, photographing another person’s body against their will in a way that could arouse sexual desire or cause shame is subject to imprisonment for up to 7 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

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