Father Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Assaulting Son Over Video Game

A 37-year-old man, identified as A, has been sentenced to two years in prison for physically assaulting his eight-year-old son, B, during a mobile phone game. The ruling was made by Judge Kim Taek-seong at the Chuncheon District Court on July 18, 2025. In addition to the prison sentence, A was ordered to complete a 40-hour child abuse treatment program.

The incident occurred on January 30, 2025, at A's home in Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province. A became enraged when B secretly checked the location of A's game character and subsequently killed it. In a fit of anger, A physically abused B by grabbing his arm and throwing him.

On the same day, when A's wife, C (34), attempted to call emergency services, A confiscated her phone, damaged it, and threatened her with a weapon. During the trial, it was revealed that A had previously threatened a cousin-in-law with a weapon in August 2020, due to a misunderstanding involving insults.

Judge Kim noted A's history of violent offenses and that he committed the crime while on probation. However, he considered the fact that the victims did not wish to pursue further punishment and A's poor health when determining the sentence.