A former Yonsei University professor charged with the indecent assault of an academic society employee partially admitted to the allegations at his first trial.
According to legal sources on the 25th, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Se-yong, held the first hearing that morning for the defendant, a former Yonsei University professor in his 60s identified as A, who faces a charge of indecent assault causing injury.
A is accused of indecently assaulting a female employee, identified as B, at an academic society secretariat dinner in November 2023, causing her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An investigation found that he sat next to the victim, B, at a restaurant and stroked her back while making inappropriate remarks. He was also found to have grabbed B's hand after she spilled a drink and licked her palm with his tongue.
At the hearing, A's defense attorney argued, "We acknowledge the indecent assault," but added, "It is difficult to acknowledge the charge of causing injury." When the court asked whether the defendant shared that view, A also answered, "Yes." The court plans to reconvene on October 29 to continue the examination of evidence against A.
Prosecutors sought a fine of 5 million won ($3,600) for C, 42, who stood trial alongside A on a charge of negligent bodily injury. C is accused of lifting B while walking with her at the time and dropping her, causing injuries that required six weeks of recovery.
C, who admitted to the charge at trial, appealed for leniency in his closing statement, saying, "I am sorry for injuring the victim through my careless actions," and added, "I will make sure this never happens again." The court plans to set a sentencing date at a later time.
