You Young-jae, a broadcaster who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for sexually assaulting the biological sister of actress Sunwoo Eun-sook, has appealed the verdict. The prosecution has also filed an appeal, leading to a continuation of the trial.
According to the legal community on the 24th, Mr. You submitted an appeal to the Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch on that day. He had previously denied all charges during the investigation and in court, and he appealed on the grounds of 'misinterpretation of facts, misunderstanding of legal principles, and inappropriate sentencing.'
The prosecution also submitted an appeal on the grounds that "the sentence is too lenient," citing inappropriate sentencing. Previously, the prosecution had requested a 5-year prison sentence for Mr. You, along with mandatory completion of a sexual violence treatment program and an employment restriction order.
On the 23rd, the 1st Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch (Chief Judge Heo Yong-gu) sentenced Mr. You to 2 years and 6 months in prison for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (sexual assault due to familial relations) and ordered his detention in court, stating that "there is a risk of flight." The court also mandated that Mr. You complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and imposed a 5-year employment restriction in institutions related to children and the disabled.
The court stated, "The defendant and his lawyer claim that there was no sexual assault, but the victim's testimony is consistent and does not contain any irrational or contradictory elements," concluding that "all of Mr. You's crimes are acknowledged."
Mr. You was indicted for sexually assaulting Ms. A, the biological sister of his then-wife Sunwoo Eun-sook, five times from March to October 2023.
