A 70-year-old shaman and monk has been sentenced to five years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting his disciple under the pretense of performing exorcism rituals.
The Busan Eastern District Court's Criminal Division 1, led by Judge Lee Dong-ki, announced on October 26 that the defendant, identified as A, was convicted of charges including rape, attempted rape, and sexual intercourse with a protected person. In addition to the prison sentence, A was ordered to complete 80 hours of sexual violence treatment and is prohibited from employment in certain positions for five years.
A was accused of sexually assaulting his disciple, a 30-year-old shaman identified as B, in various locations including a vehicle and a hotel in January 2024. He allegedly coerced B by claiming that the spirit of his deceased master was within her and that failing to engage in sexual relations would lead to her suicide and harm to her family.
During the trial, A denied some of the charges, asserting that the encounters were consensual. However, the court found him guilty on all counts.
The court determined that A exploited his position and B's reliance on her shamanistic beliefs to commit the offenses. It noted that A exerted power over B when she refused to engage in sexual relations and used weapons during the rituals, continuously brainwashing and threatening her about the necessity of sexual acts.
The court emphasized that A took advantage of B's religious and psychological vulnerabilities, committing multiple offenses and causing significant mental distress to the victim. It also remarked that A showed no remorse and had not made any efforts to restore the victim's well-being.
Sexual intercourse with a protected person refers to a crime where an individual uses authority or coercion over someone under their care or supervision. According to Article 303, Section 1 of the Criminal Code, this offense is punishable by up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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