Former Union Leader Gets Jail Term for Harassment
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
A local court handed down a three-year jail term to a former director of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Friday, for attempting to sexually assault a female union member.
The former director, Kim Sang-wan, talked with the victim last December over a drink about a police probe into her, as she had offered her home as a hideaway to former union chairman Lee Seok-haeng, who was on the wanted list for leading violent rallies against American beef imports. Kim tried to sexually assault her but failed due to her strong resistance.
``The victim's testimony is very detailed and reliable. Surveillance camera recordings at her apartment also showed that her testimony is trustworthy, so we acknowledge his guilt for the sexual assault attempt. We also recognize his suspicion to have actively helped Lee's getaway,'' the court said.
``We decided on the punishment considering that he did not run away but fell asleep in the victim's house; he committed the crime accidentally under the influence of alcohol; his act ended in the attempt; and the union has already given him a disciplinary measure,'' it said in the ruling.
Two other union members who were indicted together with Kim without physical detention on charges of helping Lee's flight were ordered to pay 5 million won in fines each, and two others received fines of 3 million won.
All of the KCTU leaders resigned en masse after it was found that union executives tried to cover up the scandal.