Soldier Sexually Assaults His Friend’s Sleeping Younger Sister, Court’s Decision Triggers Public Outrage

A recent court ruling involving a soldier who assaulted his friend’s younger sister while she was asleep has sparked widespread anger across Korean forums.

Netizens are questioning how such a case resulted in a suspended sentence despite the seriousness of the crime.

According to the ruling, the defendant had been drinking with a longtime friend and the victim at the victim’s home before entering her room at dawn and assaulting her while she was unconscious.

He was serving in the military at the time and has since been dismissed as punishment. The court determined the incident qualified as quasi-rape, a charge applied when the victim is unable to resist due to intoxication or similar conditions — a crime punishable at the same level as rape under Korean law.

Prosecutors argued that the defendant had violated trust built over years, emphasizing that he had been invited into the home because of his close relationship with both siblings.

Despite this, the court issued a one-year-and-six-month sentence, suspended for three years, meaning he will avoid serving time if he does not reoffend during the suspension period.

In explaining the decision, the court noted that the defendant admitted to the assault, expressed remorse, and had not previously committed any crimes. They also referenced his claim that he acted while drunk and without planning. The victim and the defendant reached a financial settlement of ₩40.0 million KRW (about $27,500 USD), which the court cited as a significant factor.

The decision has caused intense backlash, especially after the court also exempted him from standard requirements such as public disclosure of personal information and restrictions on working near minors.

• “If someone does that ‘impulsively,’ they’re not human, they’re an animal. These judges relate to criminals way too much.”
• “F*cking criminal.”
• “If I hit the judge ‘impulsively,’ would they let me off too?”
• “That 40 million won settlement is obviously why this happened.”
• “Why does being impulsive lessen the punishment? Planned or not, it’s still the same crime.”
• “What kind of judge gives a suspended sentence for something like this?”
• “What are they even talking about? Seriously.”