2 of 7 middle schoolers detained for group assault on intellectually disabled peer, illegal filming

Two of seven middle school students who carried out a group assault on an intellectually disabled peer have been detained.

South Chungcheong Provincial Police detained two students, identified only as A and B, on charges including joint assault under the Act on Punishment of Violent Crimes and violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes — specifically illegal filming using a camera and blackmail using recorded material.

A, B and five other students are accused of assaulting a fellow middle schooler, identified as C, who has an intellectual disability, at an outdoor rest area in Cheonan in May. A and B face additional charges of stripping C, illegally filming parts of his body and sharing the footage.

Police determined that the charges against all seven were substantiated and sought detention warrants for four of them, excluding three who are under 14 and therefore below the age of criminal responsibility.

The four argued that detention was unnecessary because they were living with parents or other guardians. The court granted warrants for two of them, however, citing the gravity of the offenses and the risk of flight.

Police plan to refer all seven to prosecutors and the juvenile division on charges including joint assault, violation of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, and production and distribution of sexual exploitation material.