Won Min-kyung addressed the killing of a teenage girl by the father of a sexual assault suspect, labeling the act a severe antisocial crime.
The suspect, a man in his 50s identified as Mr. N, was arrested by police at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Monday at a lodging facility in Jeongneung-dong, Seoul, according to a report by hani.co.kr.
The victim had been involved in a case involving Mr. N’s son, a man in his 20s who was referred to prosecutors in March on charges of quasi-rape of a minor. Under South Korean law, the quasi-rape charge applies to sexual offenses against individuals under the age of 16, where legal consent is not recognized.
Allegations have emerged that the victim was subjected to "gaslighting" by the suspect’s family, who reportedly coerced the teenager into participating in prostitution and theft. Won emphasized the failure of public support systems to protect the victim, who was identified as a vulnerable adolescent.
“Acts that exploit the vulnerability of physically and mentally weak adolescents to cause harm are antisocial crimes that our society must punish most severely,” Won said on her Facebook page, as reported by hani.co.kr.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced plans to strengthen safety networks for youth and refine policies to assist victimized teenagers in achieving recovery and self-reliance. “The fact that a teenager who most desperately needed protection was not guarded by the public support system and met with such a tragedy places a heavy burden of responsibility on our society,” Won said.
What is the status of the suspect?
What are the charges against the suspect’s son?
The suspect’s son, a man in his 20s, was referred to the prosecution in March for alleged quasi-rape of a minor. This legal designation applies to sexual offenses committed against individuals under 16 years of age.
Keep reading