Korean Student Among Alleged Perpetrators in Cornell University Gang Rape Case... US Actress Florence Pugh Calls Incident "Disgusting"

Florence Pugh: "We Should Feel Disgusted by This Case"
"Incidents Like This Could Happen Again"
An Alleged Perpetrator Believed to Be of Korean Descent Included

Amid allegations that two years ago, seven male students at Cornell University—a prestigious Ivy League institution in the United States—gang-raped a female student, Hollywood actress Florence Pugh has publicly voiced her outrage, calling the incident “disgusting.” The case was previously closed without resulting in any criminal charges. It has been reported that among the alleged perpetrators was a student believed to be of Korean descent.

On September 28 (local time), Pugh posted a lengthy message on her official social media account, stating, "Reading the story of a young woman who was gang-raped by fellow students at her university made me feel uneasy, nauseous, and anxious."

Hollywood actress Florence Pugh. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The incident referred to by Pugh took place in October 2024 at the Cornell University fraternity house of Chi Phi. At the time, the female victim—identified as Ms. A, who was 20 years old—alleged she was raped by seven male students and subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against them.

The Cornell student newspaper, 'The Cornell Daily Sun,' covered the case and revealed the names of the alleged perpetrators, which included one student with the surname Lee, believed to be Korean.

Pugh emphasized, "I hate the fact that this has happened before and could happen again," adding, "Men should be as appalled and disgusted by this incident as we are," calling for nationwide attention to the matter.

She further stated, "You should take the lead in driving discussions on how to change a culture that condones and enables such behavior," and pointed out, "If so many men remain silent at times like this, how are we supposed to believe the statement that 'not all men are like that'?"

According to the U.S. entertainment outlet Variety, in 2024, when the incident occurred, Ms. A reported the matter to campus police. However, only two of the perpetrators were expelled; the rest received minor disciplinary actions such as being required to submit letters of reflection. No criminal charges were filed.

Meanwhile, as reported by AP and other foreign news outlets on the same day, the case has regained public attention as local prosecutors have reopened the investigation. Prosecutors explained that the lack of criminal charges at the time was because Ms. A did not allege gang rape or similar accusations in her initial statement to law enforcement at the time.

Prosecutors are planning to conduct a comprehensive review of the case and submit relevant evidence to a grand jury. Unlike a trial jury, a U.S. grand jury determines whether there is sufficient evidence to formally indict a defendant based on the evidence presented by prosecutors.

Pugh also criticized Cornell University, asserting that the school has repeatedly failed to protect female students. She concluded her message by saying that she is infuriated to see the university protect male students out of fear that their futures might be ruined.

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