Two Business Owners Sentenced for Exploiting Teen Girls with Intellectual Disabilities

Two business owners have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the exploitation of two teenage girls with borderline intellectual disabilities, whom they lured into a nightlife establishment for sexual services. On June 18, the Suwon High Court's Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Shin Hyun-il, sentenced defendant A to 3 years and 6 months in prison and defendant B to 2 years and 6 months for violating laws related to the protection and support of missing children. Additionally, both were ordered to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and face a 7-year employment ban in institutions related to children, youth, and individuals with disabilities.

In the first trial, the defendants received harsher sentences of 5 years and 4 years, respectively, along with a 40-hour treatment program and the same employment restrictions, but their sentences were reduced in the appeal.

The defendants were accused of holding the two teenage victims at their entertainment venue from April 18 to May 5 of the previous year, where they allegedly engaged in sexual assault and facilitated prostitution. Investigations revealed that they met the victims at Yeouido Hangang Park, offering them part-time job opportunities. The victims were reported to have borderline intellectual disabilities, which is characterized by an IQ that is higher than that of individuals with intellectual disabilities but lower than the average.

The appellate court noted that while the defendants claimed they were unaware that the victims were minors or that the victims voluntarily served and cleaned at the bar, the circumstances indicated that they were aware of the victims' status as middle school students when they first met. The court also mentioned that the reduction in sentence was influenced by the fact that the defendants had reached an agreement with the victims.