[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

A court has ordered the parents of a middle school student to pay about 18 million won ($13,200) in damages after their son repeatedly groped and sexually harassed a female classmate.

According to legal sources Monday, Judge Lee Ju-hyeon of the Cheongju District Court's Civil Division 6 ruled in favor of the victim in a 35 million won damages suit she filed against the parents of the perpetrator, identified as Student A, ordering the defendants to pay her about 18 million won.

A had sent the victim, identified as Student B, sexually explicit messages over social media, including statements that he wanted to touch parts of her body and demands that she act as his "sex slave." He also forcibly touched parts of her body on multiple occasions in the classroom and hallways.

The court held the parents of the minor liable for failing in their duty to supervise and educate their child. "The defendants had an obligation to protect and supervise A, including providing proper sex education and ongoing guidance and advice, yet they neglected that duty," Judge Lee said. "Because this negligence contributed to the unlawful acts, the defendants are liable as wrongdoers for the damages suffered by the plaintiff."

The judge set compensation for emotional distress at 12 million won, citing the circumstances leading to the incident, the content of the sexual messages and the manner in which the groping occurred. The defendants were also ordered to cover B's psychiatric treatment costs of about 6.7 million won, bringing the total to about 18 million won, the judge added.


choijh@heraldcorp.com