2021 Suicide Case of Middle School Girls in Ochang, Cheongju, South Korea

 On May 12, 2021, two middle school girls (14-15 years old at the time) who were known as elementary school alumni in an apartment in Ochang-eup, Cheongju-si, jointly committed suicide. One of the victims, who was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting two girls, has not been identified as C, B for the perpetrator's daughter, and A for friends. This naming convention is also used in the Korean media.

According to A's statement, A was spending the weekend with B at his house, and B's father, C, entered the room without notice and recommended drinking. A claims that C raped her while she was asleep. Mr. A woke up during the assault and knew what was happening.

A's parents reported C to the police, and evidence was revealed that B was sexually assaulted by C several times during the investigation. However, C denied the allegations. After that, A and B committed suicide together. C presented B's suicide note, which claimed his innocence, as evidence, but the surrounding situation is suspected of external pressure.

According to an interview with one of B's other friends who appeared on the SBS program "Unanswered Questions," B revealed that he was sexually assaulted by C during a consultation with a psychiatrist in December 2020, but B said he believed it was only a dream. B's biological mother denies allegations of abuse, saying B made an extreme choice because of depression, and B's stepsisters claim that B was neglected and abused.

On September 15th, at 2 p.m., the second trial of Mr. C was held at Cheongju District Court No. 223. C still denies sexual assault charges, and a third trial was held on October 5. The trial was held at Cheongju District Court No. 223 on November 19, 2021, and was made public at the request of the victims' families. Mr. C's sentencing hearing was held at 10 a.m. on December 10 at Cheongju District Court No. 223.

one's stepdaughter's will

The stepdaughter's will says, "Daddy is innocent." The death of a female student in Ochang (Kookmin Ilbo)

Father C submitted his stepdaughter B's will to claim her innocence. The will reads, "Dear Judge, someone has reported his father. I reported it because he sexually assaulted me. But my father never did that to me, and he's innocent. I'm a stupid daughter who cherishes him. Please give me a verdict of not guilty."

Counseling with B's other friends in psychiatry also claimed to have been sexually assaulted. During the consultation, he said, "I think it's a dream," and asked, "But does it smell like a dream?" Even though it was a dream, the smell of grass was so vivid. Experts analyzed this as a strategy used to cancel statements as a means of resolving their own cognitive dissonance.

B's stepmother and father C moved to Ochang, Cheongju in 2017. After A sued C, B remained next to his stepfather without breaking up. B's stepsisters claimed that her sister was severely neglected and abused.

B's friend's mother also stated, "The child went up and down the 22nd floor late at night, and when I came back, the mother did not return home." She said: "It's not just about helping and abetting, it's about letting the child die. The sexual assault case occurred in January, and the complaint was filed in February. She lived with her father.

The child had no more recourse." B's older sister also said, "I had no one to rely on except my stepfather, who was accused of committing sex crimes against me because my mother said so. The only person who was actually protecting Ms. B was her stepfather, who was accused of committing sex crimes against her friends."

An official from the childcare department in Cheongju said, "When my friends contacted B, B refused to meet and said there was no problem living with my father. Her mother could not be reached and did not respond to the message." They also explained, "In the past, it was possible to separate newborns or disabled children without their consent, but now even children with human rights cannot be separated without their consent."

the will of one's stepdaughter's friend

In the process of disposing of the belongings of the deceased student, the testimony left by a student in connection with the suicide of two high school girls who were being investigated for sexual assault in Cheongju in May could be decisive evidence in future trials. The two-page will was discovered by A's parents while organizing A's belongings on August 20.

The testimony contains phrases such as "My hands tremble and my heart beats whenever I think of that day," suggesting that A may have been a victim of the crime. I don't want to be a disobedient daughter, but it hurts so much that I can't help it. I'm sorry that I'm selfish and want to stop suffering alone."

On May 12, A took his own life with his friend B while being investigated by the police after receiving a sexual assault report at an apartment in Ochang-eup, Cheongju. The suspect in this case is Mr. B's stepfather, Mr. However, C admitted child abuse (accused of handing alcohol to his daughter and friend) at his home in the first closed trial held on July 23, while denying sexual assault charges.

In the case of sexual assault, evidence is important because the statements of both sides are often mixed. However, since the victim died in this case, it will not be easy to prove the charges without clear evidence. The prosecution requested additional investigations, including expert analysis of the victim's statements, but rejected three warrants requested by the police. A's family expected the testimony to play an important role in proving the victim's claim.

A family's legal representative said, "In the case of sexual assault, the victim's consistent statement is important, and as the victim died, testimony will be decisive evidence to support the victim's statement." If combined with evidence, such as A's conversation with her friends, the credibility of her statement will increase and it will be possible to prove the charges."

a criminal trial against C

The prosecution sentenced C to life in prison at a trial held at the Cheongju District Court on November 26. On December 10, the same court sentenced C to 20 years in prison, 10 years of restrictions on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled, and 5 years of probation. Mr. C did not apologize to the victim's family and only tried to receive a lenient sentence.

On June 9, 2022, the Cheongju Court of the Daejeon High Court sentenced C to 25 years in prison, which is heavier than before. On September 15, 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed Mr. C's appeal and confirmed a 25-year prison term. Unlike life imprisonment where parole is possible 20 years later, C must serve all of his sentences before he can be released from prison.

Therefore, C, who was 57 years old as of 2022, turned 81 at the same time as he was released from prison, and he will spend the entire 60s and 70s, which are considered close to the middle-aged in the 2020s. It is an act of retaliation in itself. In addition, when C's 10-year employment restriction is lifted, he will be 91 years old. By then, C will have nothing left, and he will be an old man who doesn't know when he will die, so the punishment is so severe that it's better to die quickly.

a criminal trial for Mr. B's biological trial

On February 13, 2023, the Cheongju District Court sentenced B's biological mother, who was accused of violating the Child Welfare Act, to one and a half years in prison. The sentencing hearing will be held on April 11, 2023.

a lawsuit against the school principal for revocation of demotion

The principal of a middle school in Ochang-eup violated his supervisory and guidance obligations by not reporting to the Office of Education without taking protective measures even though he knew about the damage to A and B. As a result, he was demoted by the Teachers' Disciplinary Committee for three months. The principal objected to this decision and filed a lawsuit against the superintendent of education in Chungcheongbuk-do to cancel the demotion. On January 28, 2023, the Cheongju District Court ruled in favor of the principal.