Man given "not guilty" verdict after molesting stepdaughter

[Brian]

But remember, it's the foreigners who are the real enemy.    Oh well, time for another round of criminal checks, fingerprints, and degree verifications!

Stepfather Given Not Guilty Verdict for "Touching" Daughter

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

An appellate court gave the ``not guilty'' verdict to a father who had touched his 11-year-old stepdaughter's breasts, saying it was a ``sign of affection.''

Kim, 43, was married in 1996. He became the stepfather of his wife's daughter, whom he treated as his own child. He had often showed her affection through touching, which the girl did not used to consider as unpleasant.

Last March, Kim returned home one night after drinking and found his wife and daughter asleep. Kim put his leg on his stepdaughter's body and touched her hips and breasts under her pajama top.

Kim's wife reported him to the police. During investigation, the police also found that Kim had physically abused his wife during a quarrel in 2006 by throwing a flowerpot at her and kicking her.

The police arrested him for sexual harassment and spousal abuse, and he was sentenced to an 8 month prison term for sexual assault by a local court.

However, the Seoul High Court only acknowledged the domestic abuse. He was given a two-year suspended jail term and 160 hours of community service. It ruled: ``Kim's act was a rather excessive sign of affection spurred by alcohol.''

The court made this decision based on the fact that the girl had not reached puberty yet and previously had not felt uncomfortable about such acts as sleeping next to her and touching her hips.

Regarding the ruling, a member of a women's group said that although the stepfather and stepdaughter were close, it is very doubtful whether the touching can be seen as a sign of affection.

``Sexual harassment toward children aged under 13 is more severely punished. The prosecution should appeal to the Supreme Court and prove that he is guilty,'' she said.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=12875&categoryCode=117

edit: fixed the link.

[Samuel]

 Wow. It seems the court ruled that alcohol was a legitimate excuse for his actions, or am I reading the quote wrong? In other words, if he hadn't been drunk, would he still remain guilty?
Yes, I think it's time for DNA tests on all foreigners.
 
``Kim's act was a rather excessive sign of affection spurred by alcohol.''

[AlexMokpo]

I showed this article to some Koreans.  They were quite upset with the statement when I pointed out that the guy got off because he was Korean.
I asked them to directly type a response, this was it:
"I think that touching any part of his daughter or son is a kind of the sign of affection. It is one of korean culture."

I asked them to type more, he said he would, but maybe some other koreans would see and read and disagree with hiw point of view.

It is different, they went on to say, between family and between teacher/student.  It's slightly more touchy when involving step-parents, however, they also noted. 
Also, it's readily acceptable with kids who have not yet graduated elementary school (assumed, not hit puberty).

They mention that they frequently also touch their sons/daughters, and it is merely a 'sign of affection'.  "It is not creepy!"  They protested to my statement.

[Samuel]

I remember reading about an old Korean man in the States. In the summer he was sitting in a park near some kind of wading pool  The old Korean man yanked on a naked boys wiener. Supposedly it is for good luck. Of course the cops came. Nothing came of it.
I asked my Korean friend whether touching some boy's wiener is supposed to bring good luck or not. She never heard of such a thing.
Anyone hear of such a thing, or is it just a rumour?

[Samuel]

They mention that they frequently also touch their sons/daughters, and it is merely a 'sign of affection'.  "It is not creepy!"  They protested to my statement

touch their children where? on their genitalia?

[AlexMokpo]

Breasts, "hips" (which means bum), and penis.