Gang-rape victim's mom petitions for tough penalties for teens involved

By Jung Da-min

A petition to the Cheong Wa Dae website posted by the mother of a gang-rape victim has garnered more than 300,000 supporters in less than a month.

This means the presidential office should act on the petition within 30 days.

In the petition, the mother said her daughter is still suffering from threats from the alleged perpetrators and their friends.

“They boasted about raping my daughter and posted on Facebook their claim that my daughter had seduced them to have sex, which is not true,” the mother said. “My daughter couldn't bear it and stopped going to school.”

According to Jungbu Police Station in Daegu, six middle school and high school students have been charged with raping the girl in April.

The mother said in an interview with a local daily that it was not six but seven involved in the crime, with one getting away because he didn't have sex. She said the students and their parents never apologized.

With the petition getting wide support, the push to strengthen punishments for minors involved in crimes is growing. Minors face lighter penalties under the juvenile law, which applies to teens over 14 years and under 19. Those under 14 are exempt from criminal punishment.

Among the six charged, only one, who is 17, has been placed under arrest. Two others, also 17, are being processed without detention. Two, both 13, were sent to a lenient juvenile court as they are under 14.