Man who beat childhood bully gets suspended sentence on appeal

The roles of perpetrator and victim were reversed. A man identified only as A, now an adult, unexpectedly ran into the person who had bullied him in elementary school — and threw punches. He kicked him, too.

The injuries were not minor. The victim suffered a four-week injury, including a concussion. A had gone from being a victim of school bullying to the defendant in an assault case. A trial court sentenced him to six months in prison, but an appeals court chose leniency.

The incident occurred in June 2024 on a street in Songpa-gu, Seoul. A attacked B, the former bully, who was smoking at the time. B sustained a temporary concussion and a fracture around the eye socket.

A was ultimately indicted on assault charges. According to facts established by the court, A attempted suicide after the attack, overwhelmed by guilt and symptoms of bipolar affective disorder. He was also hospitalized for depression. A has since been receiving psychiatric treatment while working as a cleaner at a lodging facility.

A and B did not reach a settlement. During the trial, B and his family petitioned the court to impose a severe punishment. A relied on a court-appointed attorney rather than hiring private counsel.

In October 2024, the trial court sentenced A to six months in prison.

The court cited the severity of B's injuries in its sentencing, noting that A already had a prior conviction — a fine — for assault.

However, the court also noted that A had deposited 4 million won ($2,570) with the court on B's behalf — a legal mechanism used when the parties cannot reach a direct settlement — and that the offense appeared to have occurred while A was undergoing treatment for bipolar affective disorder. The court added that A had no prior conviction carrying a penalty heavier than a fine.

Both A and the prosecution appealed the ruling. A argued the sentence was too harsh, while the prosecution argued it was too lenient.

The appeals court opted for leniency. The 1-3 Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Choi Bok-gyu, found A guilty on May 21 but reduced the sentence to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

"A unexpectedly encountered B and, overwhelmed by painful memories of being bullied in elementary school, lost control of his emotions and resorted to violence," the court said. "He has shown deep remorse and reflection over his actions."

The court also noted that A had deposited an additional 4 million won with the court during the appeals process, on top of the 4 million won deposited during the first trial.

B again petitioned for a severe sentence during the appeals proceedings, arguing that the combined deposits did not even cover his medical expenses. The court, however, said it had to consider that A was a child of a single-parent household whose mother receives basic livelihood benefits.

The court explained that A is currently receiving psychiatric treatment, is working as a cleaner and has pledged to compensate B for his losses.

"Taking all of these sentencing factors together, the first-trial sentence is too heavy and therefore unjust," the court said, granting the suspended sentence.

The ruling is now final. Neither A nor the prosecution appealed the second-trial verdict.

If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare's helpline 1393, available 24/7. Please request a translator for English-language services.