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Prosecutors demanded 7 years in prison for former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, who was accused of forcibly molesting an employee. Oh, the former mayor's side appealed for leniency, saying that it was an accidental harassment and that he was taking medicine for dementia, and the victim's side strongly protested, saying that this claim itself was a secondary offense.
This is KNN Correspondent Park Myung-sun.
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Prosecutors requested a heavy sentence of 7 years in prison for former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don on four counts: forced molestation, attempted molestation, forced molestation, injury, and innocence.
Prosecutors said the two victims had similar crimes, so it was a power-based sex crime that could not be viewed as a one-time or impulsive one.
They also requested a five-year ban from employment in facilities related to children and adolescents, including the completion of a sexual violence treatment program, disclosure of personal information, and the like.
The fact that the victim still has not returned to their daily life and that there is no agreement between the victim and the perpetrator also affected the sentence.
On the other hand, Oh Keo-don's lawyer argued that this case was a one-time, accidental assault and that Mayor Oh is taking medication for dementia symptoms.
In response to these arguments and the prosecution's request, women's groups expressed their opinion that the punishment was weak.
[Lee Jae-hee / Director of the Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center: (The surprise assault itself) There are many parts that are seriously dealt with by the law because it is sexual harassment without giving an opportunity to defend. Even talking about the surprise assault as if it were very light, I think the lawyer, former Mayor Oh Keo-don, is not reflecting at all.]
The first trial sentence for Mayor Oh will be held on the 29th.
(Video coverage: Wonju Lee KNN)