Children's book author jailed for sexually abusing children: report

A person takes out a book in this undated photo. Gettyimagesbank

By Park Ji-won

Han Ye-chan, a children's book writer who penned more than 100 works, was jailed in December after being found guilty of molesting an 11-year-old child, a local newspaper revealed Monday.

According to the Hankyoreh, the 52-year old was sentenced to two and half years in prison in December for violating laws preventing sexual violence against minors aged under 13. He was also ordered to undergo a correctional program for 40 hours and banned from working in facilities related to children, teenagers and people with disabilities. Both Han and prosecutors appealed the ruling.

Han was reported to have inappropriately touched the 11-year-old 27 times, including putting his tongue into the minor's mouth. Han pleaded not guilty, but the court sided with the victim, saying that the testimony given was specific and consistent and the writer had enough power to coerce the victim into unwanted sexual relations.

Han has written numerous books aimed at teenage girls, including the series “Seoyeon.” After the revelations, criticism mounted against the publisher which had knowledge of the allegations, but continued to publish new books by Han after he was prosecuted in July 2019.