A prison sentence has been confirmed for broadcaster Yoo Young-jae, who was indicted for forcibly sexually assaulting the biological sister of actress Sunwoo Eun-sook.
According to the legal community on the 25th, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Chief Justice Oh Suk-jun) upheld the original sentence of 2 years and 6 months in prison for Yoo Young-jae, who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (forced sexual assault due to familial relations), by dismissing the appeal.
Yoo Young-jae was indicted for forcibly sexually assaulting Sunwoo Eun-sook's biological sister, Ms. A, five times from March to October 2023.
In January, the first trial court sentenced Yoo Young-jae to 2 years and 6 months in prison and ordered his detention in court, citing concerns of flight risk. He was also mandated to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and was restricted from employment in institutions related to children and the disabled for 5 years.
Both the prosecution and Yoo Young-jae appealed the first trial's decision, claiming the sentence was excessive.
During the first hearing of the appeal, Yoo Young-jae acknowledged the charges against him. In his final statement, he said, "I lacked awareness of the intimacy and sexual standards I held. I was wrong. I sincerely apologize to the victim who has suffered because of me and bow my head in deep apology to the victim who is in pain."
However, the 2nd-3rd Criminal Division of the Suwon High Court dismissed Yoo Young-jae's appeal in July, imposing the same sentence of 2 years and 6 months as in the first trial.
The Supreme Court also dismissed the appeal, confirming Yoo Young-jae's prison sentence of 2 years and 6 months.
In this regard, Sunwoo Eun-sook's legal representative, lawyer Noh Jong-eon (Law Firm Jeongjae), stated to Maeil Business Star Today, "It is a natural decision," and added, "Given that he acknowledged the crime, I expected that there would be no decision overturning the original ruling."
Meanwhile, Sunwoo Eun-sook and Yoo Young-jae were married in 2022 but divorced in April 2023, just 1 year and 6 months later.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
