Koreans Furious At “Unbelievable” Sentence Given To Man Who Tresspassed Into NJZ’s (Formerly NewJeans) Dorm

A recent court ruling involving a man who illegally entered NJZ’s (formerly NewJeans) former dormitory and stole items has sparked widespread public outrage in South Korea. Netizens are calling the sentence “unbelievable” and “shockingly light,” after the Seoul Western District Court handed down a mere ₩10.0 million KRW (about $7,240 USD) fine instead of jail time.

The man in question, a male in his 20s identified only as Mr. A, was found guilty of breaking into the girl group’s vacated residence twice in December 2023 and stealing miscellaneous items, including hangers and banners. Prosecutors initially sought a 10-month prison sentence for trespassing and theft.

However, Judge Kim Min Jung reduced the sentence, stating that the dorm was no longer occupied by the celebrities, thereby lowering the risk of direct privacy invasion. The court also cited Mr. A’s admission of guilt, remorseful attitude, and clean criminal record as reasons for leniency. At his final hearing, Mr. A pleaded for mercy, saying he hoped to pursue a career in public service and care for his ill mother.

But the public isn’t buying it. Comments flooded online communities, with many expressing disbelief that someone who invaded a celebrity residence could still dream of a government job, as well as get off with such a light sentence.

• No matter how much he shoots his mouth off, what’s wrong is wrong.
• Just go and KYS.
• Leaves me speechless.
• Of course they can’t give him any more chances.

Some also raised concerns about the message the court’s decision sends, especially regarding idol safety and the growing issue of extreme fan behavior and privacy violations. NJZ, who were previously known as NewJeans before their separation from ADOR, have yet to comment on the incident.