Man in his 20s sentenced to probation for 'revenge-for-hire' crime

A man in his 20s, who received 700,000 won after being instructed by someone he met on Telegram, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term in his first trial for committing 'revenge-for-hire' crimes, which involved spray-painting an apartment door and distributing defamatory flyers. Around 8:30 PM on March 4th, Mr. A followed instructions from an unknown individual he met on Telegram, spraying red lacquer paint and applying glue to the common hallway, front door, and doorbell of an apartment unit in Dongtan New Town, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, causing damage. Approximately 100 leaflets containing false defamatory information about the victim were also scattered on the nearby stairs.

Mr. A received the criminal proposal while searching for online loans. After committing the crime, he sent an authentication video and received 700,000 won as payment. The first trial court cited Mr. A's lack of prior offenses, his full admission of guilt, and his remorse as mitigating factors in sentencing. The Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 10 sentenced Mr. A, who was arrested and indicted on charges including defamation, trespassing, and property damage, to two years in prison, suspended for three years. The court also ordered probation, 80 hours of community service, and forfeiture of 700,000 won.

The severity of punishment for so-called 'revenge-for-hire' crimes, where individuals act as hired avengers for others, is raising awareness about similar offenses. Over the past 10 months, police have apprehended 65 individuals involved in private 'revenge-for-hire' crimes, arresting 23 of them. 'Revenge-for-hire' crimes first emerged in Daegu in August of last year, and as of this month, a total of 87 cases have been identified nationwide. Police have apprehended suspects in 80 of these cases and are continuing their pursuit of the remaining seven.