A well-known choreographer, who has worked with K-pop boy groups and appeared on dance competition programs, has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting an intoxicated female acquaintance. He was taken into custody in the courtroom following the verdict.
According to Korean media reports, the Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 11 sentenced the defendant, identified as 'A,' to three years in prison on May 23 for quasi-rape. He was immediately detained. The court also ordered him to complete 80 hours of sexual violence treatment and imposed a five-year restriction on employment in institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities.
A was indicted for allegedly taking a woman he had known for years to a motel and sexually assaulting her in March 2024, after they had been drinking in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. While A admitted to having sexual intercourse, he denied the charges, claiming the woman was not incapacitated and that the act was consensual.
However, the court did not accept A's defense. The judicial panel noted that A's statements were inconsistent with objective circumstances and that he changed his account multiple times during the investigation.
During initial police questioning, A reportedly stated that they played games for about 30 minutes after entering the motel, but later changed his story, claiming they did not play games or that he couldn't remember. His statements also varied regarding the sequence of sexual acts and the timing of the victim's vomiting.
In contrast, the court found the victim's testimony highly credible, stating: "The victim's statements have been consistently coherent and logical, aligning with objective evidence. There is no motive for her to deliberately lie, thus her testimony holds high credibility."
A's legal team attempted to discredit the victim's testimony by citing her behavior after the incident and the timing of her complaint, but the court rejected these arguments.
The judge explained that the reactions of sexual violence victims can vary depending on their relationship with the perpetrator and the specific circumstances. The victim stated that she was confused and unable to immediately process being assaulted by someone she knew well, and the court found this explanation reasonable.
Furthermore, A's side argued that his psychophysiological test (lie detector) results showed a "truthful response," but the court determined this was insufficient to overturn the credibility of the victim's testimony.
In its sentencing rationale, the court stated: "The defendant repeatedly encouraged the victim to drink, despite knowing her reluctance, and then committed the crime while she was intoxicated and unable to resist. The nature of the crime is not light." The judge also noted that A consistently denied the charges and shifted blame to the victim, further exacerbating her emotional distress, leading to the three-year prison sentence.
A gained recognition after appearing on a dance competition show on a music-specialized channel and subsequently choreographed for several K-pop boy groups.
However, A has appealed the first-instance ruling.
