A swimming instructor was sentenced to a fine for mocking the appearance of a 9-year-old elementary school student by submerging his head in the water during a lesson.
On the 27th, Jeaewon Oh, the presiding judge of the Ulsan District Court's Criminal Court 1, announced that a man in his 20s, identified as A, was sentenced to a fine of 7 million won on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act, and was ordered to complete 40 hours of child abuse treatment programs and a three-year ban on employment at child-related organizations.
A, who was working at a children's specialized swimming pool in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, submerged B, a 9-year-old student, multiple times in the water last September, despite B's objections. Additionally, A pulled and released B's swimming cap with his fingers and held B's arms while other students splashed water on him.
Subsequently, A threw B's goggles out of the water and filmed B's angry appearance with a mobile phone, laughing together with other instructors and students.
The court stated, "It appears that the victim child suffered significant humiliation and mental anguish, and the victim's side is requesting harsh punishment," adding, "However, we considered that the abusive behavior lasted only one day and that an apology was given to the victim."