Prosecutors seek 9-year prison term for man who planted hidden cameras, laced toilet paper with capsaicin in women's restroom

Prosecutors have asked a court to sentence a social service worker to nine years in prison for installing hidden cameras in a women's restroom in Seoul's Gwanak-gu and lacing toilet paper with capsaicin.

At a final hearing Friday before Judge Kang Seong-jin of Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 16, prosecutors requested the nine-year sentence for the 21-year-old suspect, identified only by his surname Kim, on charges including bodily injury. They also asked the court to order him to complete a sexual violence treatment program, impose a 10-year employment ban and require public disclosure of his personal information.

Kim was indicted and detained on charges of injuring a woman by spraying capsaicin on toilet paper in a women's restroom in a commercial building in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, on April 26. He also faces charges of breaking into the same restroom seven times between January and April, planting miniature cameras and filming four women using the toilet.

In his final statement Friday, Kim said he was "sincerely sorry to the victims" and pledged to "spend the rest of my life in reflection."

Sentencing has been set for Aug. 25.