TV Personality Yoo Young-jae Faces 5-Year Sentence for Sexual Assault Charges

Yoo Young-jae, a South Korean television personality, is currently undergoing trial for allegedly sexually assaulting A, the sister of actress Sunwoo Eun-sook. On December 24, 2024, the Suwon District Court's Seongnam branch held the fourth hearing regarding the charges under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, specifically for forced molestation involving a family member.

Yoo is accused of making unwanted physical contact with A on five separate occasions since 2023. Despite denying the allegations during police and prosecution investigations, the prosecution has decided to proceed with the case, leading to Yoo's indictment without detention.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued, "The defendant does not deny the actions in the recorded evidence provided by the victim but claims innocence during the trial, indicating a poor character. We request a five-year prison sentence." They also called for participation in a sexual violence treatment program and employment restrictions for Yoo, citing the victim's consistent testimony and the lack of motive for false statements.

In his final statement, Yoo claimed, "I have lived alone for a long time and have always been free at home. I initially opposed living with A, but out of consideration for Sunwoo Eun-sook, who has never managed a household, I agreed. There was a level of intimacy that was different from other family members. It is absurd to think I would commit such an act against someone who has always cared for me. It is impossible."

Yoo further explained that he and A shared a close relationship, often engaging in friendly gestures and checking in on each other's well-being more frequently than with other family members, describing it as a level of intimacy he had not experienced with his mother.

In a previous hearing, A testified as a witness, detailing multiple instances of forced molestation in various locations, including the entrance, kitchen, and her room. She recounted an incident where Yoo allegedly twisted her nipple and embraced her from behind while asking, "Did you sleep well?" She claimed that his body made contact with hers, and when she confronted him, he acted as if nothing had happened.

Yoo denied these allegations, stating, "I did not twist her nipple. It is unthinkable for someone who has always cared for me to act in such a way. It is impossible."

In the first hearing last month, Yoo also denied the charges against A. However, during the third hearing, his ex-wife Sunwoo Eun-sook testified that she had heard about the assault from her sister. She mentioned that after initially filing for divorce, they considered reconciling, but A felt compelled to share the details after listening to recordings of Yoo's conversations, which included statements like, "Eun-sook must not know."

Sunwoo expressed her shock upon hearing the recordings, stating, "I was in disbelief and even fainted after listening to them."