Victim gave birth after assault; suspect denies charges, claims consent

[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

A former executive in his 60s has been indicted in custody for repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s with an intellectual disability who worked at the same company.

According to legal sources, the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office indicted the man, identified only as A, on Thursday on charges of quasi-rape against a person with a disability under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes.

A is accused of sexually assaulting B, a woman in her 20s with an intellectual disability who worked at the same workplace, on multiple occasions in the Incheon area from last summer through June this year.

A had served as an executive at a laundry business registered as a standard workplace for people with disabilities, where his son serves as chief executive. He resigned after the incidents came to light. More than 10 other people with disabilities are employed at the facility in addition to B.

B became pregnant as a result of the assaults and recently gave birth. She has a second-degree intellectual disability, with a cognitive level equivalent to that of a 7-year-old and a self-defense capacity of a 4-year-old. She also suffers from a rare disease, leaving her in poor health and in effect unable to care for the child.

As a result, B's father is caring for both his daughter and the newborn.

At a press conference held with a disability advocacy group, B's father alleged that A had attempted to pressure B into terminating the pregnancy and had threatened her to conceal the crimes.

Police determined that A had committed the offenses against B while she was unable to resist or found it extremely difficult to do so because of her disability, and transferred him to prosecutors in custody on Aug. 18.

During the police investigation, A acknowledged some of the acts but denied the assault charges, saying the encounters were consensual.

The Incheon District Court had issued an arrest warrant for A on Aug. 12, citing concerns that he might destroy evidence or flee.

As he arrived for his pre-arrest hearing, A was asked by reporters whether he admitted to the assault charges. "I'm sorry. I have nothing to say," he said.


jshan@heraldcorp.com