Celebrity Yoo Young-jae, who is the older sister of actress Sun Woo-eun-sook and has been charged with the forcible molestation of her former sister-in-law, received a prison sentence during the appeal trial.
On the 23rd, the 2nd-3rd Criminal Division of the Suwon High Court (Judges Park Kwang-seo, Kim Min-gi, Kim Jong-woo) upheld the first-instance sentence of 2 years and 6 months in prison against Yoo Young-jae, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (forcible molestation by a relative), and dismissed both Yoo Young-jae's and the prosecution's appeals.
The court noted, "The defendant has shown remorse for the crime and is making efforts to compensate the victim by transferring a large amount in two installments, among other actions; however, the victim is concerned about damaging her younger sibling's married life and suffering emotional distress, which led her to conceal the facts of the crime and endure the defendant's molestation, and she has expressed that she does not wish to receive the compensation, demanding a severe sentence."
Earlier, Yoo Young-jae was charged with forcible molestation for making physical contact with his former sister-in-law, Ms. A, on five occasions since 2023. Yoo Young-jae denied the allegations during police and prosecution investigations as well as in the first-instance trial, but in January, the first-instance court sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison. The court also ordered the defendant to be held in custody while completing 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and imposed a 5-year employment ban in institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled.
The day after the first-instance ruling, Yoo Young-jae appealed on the grounds of improper sentencing, and the prosecution also submitted an appeal. In the second instance, unlike in the first trial, Yoo Young-jae acknowledged the charges and conveyed that he is living with a sense of remorse toward the victim.
In his final statement, Yoo Young-jae said, "I reflect on my past and recognize that I lacked understanding regarding the intimacy and sexual standards I held. I was wrong. I sincerely apologize to the victim who has been harmed due to my actions and bow my head in deep apology to the victim, who I believe is suffering." The prosecution then requested a 5-year prison sentence for Yoo Young-jae, consistent with the first-instance ruling.
Meanwhile, Sun Woo-eun-sook and Yoo Young-jae got married in 2022 but divorced in April last year, just 1 year and 6 months later. Sun Woo-eun-sook filed for a marriage annulment against Yoo Young-jae, citing the lawsuit for the forcible molestation against her older sister and suspicions of Yoo Young-jae's de facto marriage.
[Photo] Provided by the agency, Gyeongin Broadcasting.
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