Man in His 30s Sentenced to 1 Year and 8 Months for Filming Girlfriend Nude Over Suspected Cheating

A man in his 30s who assaulted his girlfriend and forced her to be filmed nude and write a memo has been sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison and taken into custody in court. The court also ordered him to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program. Judge Kim Hee-jin of the Jeju District Court's Criminal Division 3 sentenced the man, identified as A, who had been indicted without detention on charges including violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (camera filming), to 1 year and 8 months in prison and ordered his immediate detention.

A is accused of assaulting his girlfriend B multiple times on January 28, 2023, after suspecting her of cheating on him. During the incident, he is also charged with forcing B, while naked, to kneel and write a memo stating, 'If I cheat again, I will give you all my assets,' and filming the process on his mobile phone. A is also accused of seizing B's phone and deleting all her contacts, photos, and other data.

The threats continued. A took screenshots of messages B had exchanged with others and posted them on an online community, demanding she tell her parents that she had to quit her job because of her affair before he would delete them. B ultimately had to make that call to her parents.

A's defense denied most of the charges, claiming B wrote the memo of her own will and that no video was filmed. However, the court found the victim's testimony credible, stating that it was "consistent on key points and so detailed that it would be difficult to fabricate without firsthand experience."

The court pointed out that "the assault was not minor, and he filmed her in a state where she could feel extreme humiliation." It added, "He sought to isolate the victim from her workplace and family and subject her to blame," noting that "it is obvious the victim suffered severe psychological distress, and she has not forgiven him." The court concluded that continuing the relationship after the crime did not reduce the likelihood of punishment.

Both the prosecution and the defendant have appealed the ruling.