Producer-director Jeong Cheol-min, who directed tvN's popular variety show Sixth Sense series, has completely denied the forced molestation allegations.
On Feb. 14 the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 4 (Kim Su-gyeong, Director General judge) held the first trial on the forced molestation charge against PD Jeong Cheol-min.
Earlier, junior PD A, who participated in Sixth Sense: City Tour 2, filed a complaint in August last year accusing PD Jeong Cheol-min of forced molestation. A's side said, "I filed a complaint after being sexually assaulted during the process of moving locations and returning home immediately after the second round of the company dinner," and claimed they were subjected to physical contact such as having their shoulder massaged as if linked arm-in-arm, and forehead-to-forehead contact.
However, PD Jeong Cheol-min's side rebutted, "It is completely untrue that we made physical contact that would cause sexual humiliation to A or made demeaning remarks about their character. At the time the gathering was breaking up there were many passersby and colleagues on the street, and the only contact was at the level of patting each other's shoulders or linking arms."
The police acknowledged the physical contact but said the intent to molest was not proven and issued a non-prosecution decision in December last year. However, A appealed and the prosecution launched a supplementary investigation and in Feb. charged PD Jeong without detention.
The hearing was held behind closed doors according to the court's decision. The court said, "Because this is a sex crime case we will conduct closed hearings. We do not think it is appropriate for the media to present opinions from both sides."
After the trial ended Jeong Cheol-min's legal representative said, "He denies all the charges. He has no other comments." It was also reported that PD Jeong had applied for a citizen trial ahead of the hearing. However, the court denied that request following the victim's objection and the case will proceed as a regular trial.
A's lawyer emphasized, "The victim requests severe punishment for Jeong and has no intention to settle. We will cooperate with the court to the fullest to seek a prison sentence."
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