Unrelated to article [Getty Images Bank]
Unrelated to article [Getty Images Bank]

A man in his 70s who confined and assaulted his adult son out of displeasure over the son's romantic relationship has received a suspended prison sentence.

Busan District Court Judge Park Byeong-ju of the 12th Criminal Division sentenced the defendant, identified only as A, to two years in prison suspended for three years on charges of aggravated assault and unlawful confinement, the court said Thursday.

The court also ordered A to undergo two years of probation and complete 40 hours of domestic violence recidivism prevention classes.

According to the ruling, A lived with his 42-year-old son, referred to as B, and came to believe the son had grown neglectful of him after starting a relationship with a girlfriend.

A repeatedly demanded that his son break up with the girlfriend, and the two argued when the son refused.

On June 10, even as his son apologized, A remained enraged and pulled out a 23-centimeter tool, striking his son repeatedly on the back with it.

He then wrapped a belt around his son's neck, dragged him into the master bedroom and bound his hands and feet with tape.

The son was confined for an hour and a half until police arrived at the home, and sustained multiple abrasions and other injuries requiring about three weeks of treatment.

The son had previously been forced to temporarily quit his job and collect his severance pay to fund his father's cycling gambling habit.

"Even after his son became an adult, the defendant treated the victim on the basis of a distorted form of affection — controlling and suppressing his private life," Judge Park said. "It appears the defendant had also subjected the victim and the victim's younger sister to inappropriate physical force prior to this incident."

Park added that the defendant had attributed the incident to "a misunderstanding arising from a family dispute with the victim" and "an impulsive act of violence during the course of disciplining his child." The judge said he had "considerable doubt as to whether the defendant is sincerely reflecting on his crimes."

However, the judge said the sentence took into account the fact that the victim clearly stated in court that he did not wish to see his father punished, and that the defendant's daughter had also petitioned for leniency.


123@heraldcorp.com