Composer and broadcaster Yoo Jae-hwan is on trial on charges of sexual assault, and a fine was also imposed on appeal.
On the 16th, the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Appeals Division 3-1 sentenced Yoo Jae-hwan, who was indicted on charges of sexual assault, to a fine of 5 million won.
Earlier, Yoo Jae-hwan is accused of sexually assaulting victims he met after posting a message in June 2023 saying "I will make songs without taking composition fees."
the first trial found him guilty and ordered a fine of 5 million won and 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program, but both Yoo Jae-hwan and the prosecution filed appeals against the verdict.
At the appellate trial, the prosecution asked the court to overturn the original verdict and sentence him to one year in prison, the same as the sentence sought in the first trial, while Yoo Jae-hwan's side claimed a factual misunderstanding and protested his innocence.
In his final statement, Yoo Jae-hwan reportedly said, "I deeply regret this. Because this situation has unfolded, it has become difficult to find work, I am suffering financial hardship, and I find it hard to go out because many people might recognize me," and he argued, "If the victim's statements become consistent evidence, please recognize that my statements are also consistent."
However, the appellate court dismissed both appeals and found the original verdict to be proper. The court gave the reason for the sentence, saying, "We find the lower court's judgment to be proper. There also seems to be no reason to change the punishment. The defendant's claim of unfair sentencing is difficult to accept."
Meanwhile, Yoo Jae-hwan debuted in 2008 with "I didn't know pain," participated in writing lyrics and featuring on Park Myung Soo's "Myungsoo's tteokbokki" in 2014. The following year, after appearing at the Yeongdong Expressway song festival on Infinite Challenge and becoming known, he also appeared on numerous variety shows.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]