In a shocking case that has stunned South Korea, a 48-year-old man has been convicted of sexually assaulting his elderly mother shortly after completing a prison sentence for previous violent offenses.
The incident occurred in Incheon, where the man (identified only as “A”) attacked his mother in her seventies at his residence. The assault took place a mere two months after A’s release from a 14-year prison term for crimes including homicide and previous sexual violence.
Court documents reveal that the attack was triggered when A’s mother refused his request to visit a columbarium together. This refusal apparently led to the brutal assault on September 8 of the previous year.
The case has taken a dramatic turn in the appeals process. Initially sentenced to 18 years by the Incheon District Court, Mr. A now faces 25 years behind bars following a ruling by the Seoul High Court. The increased sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the defendant’s history of violence.
Prosecutors highlighted A’s pattern of criminal behavior, noting that he had also attempted to rape a cousin and threatened his daughter’s partner within the same three-month period following his release.
The court’s decision to increase the sentence came after both the prosecution and the defendant appealed the original verdict. While the lower court had considered A’s apparent mental health issues in their sentencing, the High Court prioritized the heinous nature of the crimes and the need for stricter punishment.
The alarming case has reignited discussions in South Korea about recidivism rates and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in rehabilitating offenders. It has also raised questions about the support and protection available for vulnerable family members of individuals with violent histories.
Source: Kyeonggi
