A student at Seoul National University has been suspended for taking photographs up women¡¯s skirts in the school library. He had been set to graduate this month.
The 26-year-old dentistry student was caught in the act on November 9 after a Ms. Jeong, a medical student, noticed a flash under the table where she was studying in the school¡¯s main library. She escorted the suspect, a Mr. Jeon, who had been sitting across from her, outside and confronted him.
Jeon initially denied the crime, but he was found to have 50 "up-the-skirt" photographs of women¡¯s legs and underwear stored on his digital camera. At the police station, he finally admitted to taking Ms. Jeong¡¯s picture.
Police charged him with violating laws on sexual violence and find him 1 million won (US$1,000). Jeon posted a written apology in front of the library, but on February 16 the university¡¯s disciplinary committee decided to suspend him for six months. He was scheduled to graduate on February 26.
"The victim herself didn¡¯t want the perpetrator kicked out of school," said the medical student association in a formal statement. But the statement went on to say, "We hope this punishment brings an end to heinous crimes like these."
Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]