By Na Jeong-ju
Police said Tuesday that they have apprehended a 70-year-old former school guard in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, for molesting a 15-year-old girl more than 10 times in his office last year.
The investigation began after her family reported the case to a center for sex crime victims. The suspect, surnamed Choo, resigned in December after the allegations were raised.
The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency said Choo was previously convicted of 15 violations, including theft and drunk driving. However, he was able to get a security job at an elementary school in 2011 because he didn’t repeat crimes for the past 10 years. He had no record of molesting children.
According to the agency, the victim, whose identity has been withheld, often visited the elementary school, located near her home, whenever she felt lonely. Choo approached her and lured her to his office, telling her that he had snacks and drinks to share in the office.
Choo paid the victim some 5,000 won ($4.7) whenever he sexually abused her, police said.
Police requested an arrest warrant for Choo based on testimony from her and her family. Choo was arrested at around 6 p.m. in his house on Monday.
Police said Choo will face charges of child molestation.
“Our initial probe showed the victim spent a lot of time alone at the school because she didn’t have friends to play with. Her family moved to the area just some months earlier,” an officer said. “We suspect Choo molested her on more than 10 occasions from March to December last year.”
It’s not known whether she is mentally stable or not.
The elementary school is also being investigated for hiring Choo. Her family is considering submitting a complaint against the school’s manager for negligence.