Broadcaster Yoo Young-jae Sentenced for Sexual Assault Against Actress Sunwoo Eun-sook's Sister

Yoo Young-jae (61), a broadcaster, has been sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for sexually assaulting the sister of actress Sunwoo Eun-sook. The ruling was made by the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court on January 23, 2025. In addition to the prison sentence, Yoo is required to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and is prohibited from working in institutions related to children, adolescents, and individuals with disabilities for five years.

Yoo was accused of committing the assault on five occasions between March and October 2023 against Sunwoo's sister, who was his wife at the time. During the trial, Yoo denied the allegations, claiming a familial closeness that allowed for intimate touches, likening the sister to a mother figure.

However, the court found the victim's testimony to be detailed and consistent, stating that it did not contain contradictions or irrational elements when considered in context. The court concluded that the evidence supported the victim's claims of being assaulted five times by a family member.

The judges noted the severity of the crime, emphasizing that the victim had not received restitution and that Yoo showed no genuine remorse for his actions. They did, however, take into account that he had no prior sexual offense record and that some acquaintances had pleaded for leniency.

In response, Sunwoo Eun-sook's legal representative, attorney Noh Jong-eon, expressed respect for the court's decision and hoped it would prompt society to reconsider issues of sexual violence within families. He highlighted the severe mental distress the sisters faced due to online harassment and defamation following the incident.

Noh urged those who have engaged in online mockery and defamation to delete their comments within a week, warning that legal action would follow if such comments were not removed. He expressed a desire for a future where victims of sexual violence are protected from ridicule and secondary harm.

Yoo Young-jae and Sunwoo Eun-sook were married in 2022 but divorced in April 2023. Sunwoo is currently pursuing a separate annulment lawsuit related to their marriage.