Korean netizens are furious over the light sentencing of singer-songwriter Jung Joon-young and former F.T. Island member Choi Jong-hoon, who were both found guilty of gang rape and the spread of illegally filmed sex videos.
According to a report by All Kpop, Koreans took to social media to air their dissatisfaction over Jung Joon-young 's six-year prison sentence and Jong-hoon's five-year sentence. Girls' Generation Yuri's brother, Kwon Hyuk Jun, was also implicated in the case and received a four-year prison term for his involvement.
Some netizens called the sentence laughable, given the magnitude of the violations committed by the group against multiple women. Many were also saddened that the prison term against the celebrities was too short, compared to the typical sentencing for regular folk.
It can be recalled that Jung Joon-young and Jong-hoon were charged early this year, with gang rape and drugging women on two occasions in 2016 in Hongcheon and Daegu. Police found evidence to support the charges when voice files and photos were found in the group's controversial Kakao group chat, wherein Joon-young admitted to filming and sharing his sexual encounters with women, BBC reported.
The case, known as the biggest sex scandal involving celebrities, broke out when police accidentally discovered the group chat while they were investigating BIGBANG maknae Seungri for another issue. The former YG artist is currently under investigation for providing prostitutes to potential business investors.
During the sentencing, Judge Kang Seong-soo of the Seoul Central District Court said that Jung was found guilty of raping women who were drunk and unable to resist. He also filmed them nude and having sex, then spreading it on a group chat. Based on the evidence, Jung shared hidden camera sex tapes and photos with his acquaintances 11 times between 2015 and 2016.
In his testimony, Jung admitted his guilt and said he regretted his foolishness. He said that he would live his life in remorse for his actions. However, this was not enough to sway the verdict to his favor.
Choi Jong-hoon, on the other hand, was also found guilty of gang rape and involvement in the controversial group chat, but the judge said he found no remorse from the former idol for his crimes.
"We can't imagine the pain the victims might have felt who found out later," the judge said.
Apart from their prison sentences, Jung Joon-young, Jong-hoon, and Kwon Hyuk Jun were also required to complete an 80-hour course on sexual violence education. They have also been banned from working with children.
