Kwon Min-a, formerly of the group AOA, who had disclosed being a victim of a past sex crime, shared her thoughts directly after a guilty verdict for the perpetrator.
On the 19th, Kwon Min-a posted a long message on social media, calling it "the day that ends a long journey of more than four years," and looked back on the trial process. Kwon wrote, "From my position as the victim, whether it was guilty or not guilty mattered, and I place great significance on even one charge being recognized."
According to Kwon, as the case proceeded through the second trial, the rape charge was found guilty, but the injury charge was not recognized. Because of this, additional punishment premised on the injury charge could not proceed due to the statute of limitations.
Kwon said, "When the prosecutor sought a 10-year prison term for the suspect, I had high expectations that a prison sentence would be handed down," adding, "I am left disappointed with the result now, but it is meaningful that the ruling recognized that the person did wrong."
Kwon continued, "It has become something from 18 years ago, and at the time I had no choice but to hide it because of the social climate," and wrote, "I hope other victims do not blame themselves and speak out."
Kwon also expressed gratitude to the police officers and prosecutors who were involved in the investigation and trial. Kwon said, "I feel sorry and grateful to those who rushed in carrying a burden on their hearts because of me," and added, "Now I intend to set this case down and focus on treatment."
Kwon also said she intends to pursue additional legal action beyond this case. Kwon wrote, "Again, it is more important that even one of my words is recognized and accepted than the level of punishment," and added, "Even if I am disappointed with the outcome, I hope I will have become stronger."
In March 2021, Kwon first revealed the damage by claiming during a live social media broadcast that she had been sexually assaulted by an upperclassman while attending middle school in Busan. At the time, she said she could not report it because she feared retaliation.
Then in December of the same year, she said that the sexual assault case she experienced as a minor had been sent to the prosecution, explaining, "Witness testimony and various test results were reflected, and with the addition of the injury charge, the statute of limitations applied differently."