Man, 67, sentenced to prison for molesting 6-year-old girl at playground

A man in his 60s has been sentenced to prison for sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl at a park playground.

The First Criminal Division of the Suncheon Branch of Gwangju District Court sentenced the man, identified only as A, 67, to four years in prison on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes — specifically the forcible molestation of a minor under 13 — as well as violations of the Child Welfare Act, legal sources said Friday.

A is accused of luring and molesting a girl, identified as B, 6, who was playing alone at a park playground in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, at around 4:30 p.m. on April 18.

After spotting B, A called her over and sat her on his lap, then touched her chest, thighs and buttocks and committed acts of sexual abuse over her clothing.

A was also found during the investigation to have told B — a child who had just started first grade — that he wanted to date her, given her his contact information and asked to meet her separately.

When asked why he committed the crime, A repeatedly made statements that defied comprehension, saying he "got worked up because she was pretty," that he "was overcome with emotion," and that he "carefully coaxed her because she was pretty."

The court condemned A in its ruling, saying the case represented "a blatant display of distorted sexual desire directed at a victim who was only 6 years old" and that the nature of the crime was "extremely poor and highly blameworthy to a degree that cannot but shock."

The court added that "sexual violence against a child with no ability to defend herself is a grave antisocial crime that not only violates the right to sexual self-determination but also negatively affects the formation of values." It said the sentence took into account A's failure to make any effort to seek forgiveness from the victim and her family, as well as his prior criminal record, including past violent offenses.