17-year term upheld for serial rapist

The Supreme Court of Korea yesterday confirmed the verdict that sentenced a serial rapist and robber to 17 years in prison and seven years thereafter on an electronic monitoring anklet.

On 44 separate occasions over seven years starting in April 2002, Jeong, a 41-year-old civilian worker for the U.S. military in Korea, broke into homes of women living by themselves in and around Daegu and Gumi. He raped and robbed the women, collecting a total of 26 million won ($22,318) in valuables and money.

“Although Jeong made an appeal [after his first ruling] saying that the penalty was too high, considering his age, criminal malice and the criminal act, the court deems 17 years is fair,” the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

Jeong was indicted in April 2009. During his first trial last year, the court sentenced him to 22 years in prison and seven years on the electronic anklet. It said, “The victims want a tough penalty and there is much concern for a repeat crime.”

However, after Jeong’s appeal, the court reduced his sentence to 17 years on the grounds that he admitted his crimes and offered some of the women financial restitution during his first trial.

By Cho Jae-eun [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]