A church teacher in his 30s has been sentenced to six years in prison for committing multiple sexual offenses against a minor student.
According to Yonhap News, the Suwon High Court's Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Shin Hyun-il, upheld the original sentence on September 16 for A, who was charged with violating laws on the protection of children and adolescents (coercive intercourse).
The appellate court acknowledged that the defendant admitted to the crimes during the trial and had deposited 30 million won for the victim, but noted that the victim continues to suffer and has expressed a desire for severe punishment, refusing to accept the compensation.
The court stated, "Considering the method, frequency, and duration of the offenses, the nature of the crime is extremely poor," and concluded that there were no circumstances warranting a change in the original sentence, as all factors had already been sufficiently considered.
Previously, A was charged with coercively engaging in sexual acts with a 17-year-old high school student from the church where he worked, from August 2019 to June 2020, committing the acts multiple times and attempting similar acts.
Investigations revealed that he exploited the victim's vulnerable situation, as she was unable to receive proper care from her parents due to financial difficulties and relied on the church.
During the first trial, A maintained that he and the victim were in a loving relationship, denying the charges.
However, the first trial court dismissed this claim, citing the victim's diary entries that vividly described the incidents, her emotional distress, and fear of the defendant.
The first trial had sentenced A to six years in prison, which was heavier than the prosecution's request of five years, and mandated 40 hours of sexual violence treatment and a five-year employment restriction.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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