Ex-Yonsei University professor acknowledges groping at trial

A former Yonsei University professor charged with sexually assaulting a staff member at an academic society has acknowledged part of the charges against him at trial.

The Seoul Eastern District Court's Criminal Division 12, presided over by Judge Kim Se-yong, held the first hearing Tuesday in the case of the defendant, a man in his 60s identified only as A, who faces charges of aggravated indecent assault causing bodily harm.

According to prosecutors, A allegedly groped a female staff member, identified as B, at a dinner gathering of the academic society's secretariat in November 2023, causing her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

He is accused of sitting next to B at a restaurant, stroking her back and making inappropriate remarks, then grabbing her hand after she spilled a drink and licking her palm.

At Tuesday's hearing, A's defense attorney said the defendant acknowledged the groping but disputed that it caused bodily harm. When the presiding judge asked whether the defendant shared that position, A confirmed that he did.

The court scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 29 to continue examining evidence in the case.