Severe Sentence for Man Who Assaulted Ex-Girlfriend

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home, assaulting her with a blunt object, and committing sexual violence. The victim, a woman in her 30s, narrowly escaped with her life but suffered severe injuries, including permanent hearing loss.

The Changwon District Court's Criminal Division 2, presided over by Judge Kim Seong-hwan, announced the sentence on July 3, 2025. In addition to the prison term, the court mandated that the offender complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and prohibited him from working with children, adolescents, or individuals with disabilities for ten years.

The incident occurred on December 1, 2024, when the man unlawfully entered the victim's residence in the Donggye-dong area of Changwon. He repeatedly struck her head with a brick and sexually assaulted her. He also threatened her with a weapon, saying, "Let's die together," and confined her in the bathroom without a doorknob.

Fortunately, the victim managed to escape when the assailant, who had attempted to harm himself, lost consciousness.

According to court documents, the couple had been dating for about six months before the incident but had broken up due to the man's excessive jealousy. The day before the attack, he had given her couple shirts and suggested they go on a date, which she rejected, leading him to harbor resentment.

The victim sustained skull and facial fractures and permanent hearing loss due to the assault. The perpetrator claimed he only intended to injure her and did not plan to kill her. However, the court dismissed his claims, noting the severity of the attack and his lack of intent to help the victim afterward.

During his hospital stay for injuries sustained while attempting self-harm, the man showed no signs of remorse, asking police if friends could visit and engaging in conversations about prison life and playing mobile games.

Judge Kim stated, "The victim's survival was due to her desperate escape from the bathroom. The brutality of the crime and its consequences are horrific. The victim has requested severe punishment, yet the defendant shows no remorse and denies the main charges while making no effort to aid in the victim's recovery."