Sexual Assault Suspect Claims Victims Agreed Not to Resist at South Korean Resort

On June 20, the western police of Jeju Island, South Korea, re-arrested a male employee in his 30s, A, from a resort hotel.

 

A is accused of sexually assaulting a Chinese female tourist, B, who was staying in a hotel room where he worked on June 14. He was urgently arrested on suspicion of attempted rape that same day but was released on bail the next day because it was determined he was not likely to flee. Criticism had been mounting online about him returning to work at the hotel. 

“The incident leading to the arrest occurred in the early hours of the 14th. In the popular tourist destination of Jeju Island, B had dinner with friends the previous evening. She seemed unable to walk due to intoxication, so her friends arranged for her to stay at the nearest hotel, different from their original reservation.

A, who was at the front desk, witnessed this. Using a master key, A allegedly entered B’s room around 4 AM and sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated and unable to resist.” (Reporter from a Korean newspaper).

“I didn’t knock because there was no response.”

After waking up from her intoxication, B realized she had been harmed and reported the incident to the police through her friends. The arrest of A was made based on security camera footage and B’s statement.

According to police investigation, A denied the allegations and expressed disbelief with the following statement:

“I received a room service request from B, knocked on the door but got no response, so I entered using a master key. Since the other party did not resist, I thought it was consensual.”

In resort hotels on Jeju Island, there have been repeated incidents of sexual assault. On June 21st, a male tourist in his 30s allegedly entered the adjacent room and engaged in indecent acts with a sleeping woman. It’s reported he noticed the door was unlocked and proceeded with the act.

“When the woman woke up, the man fled from the room. However, realizing he couldn’t escape the situation, he returned to the room and explained to the woman, ‘There was a misunderstanding.’ After the woman reported the incident, the man was arrested. He denies the charges, claiming, ‘I heard a loud noise from the neighboring room, so I entered to see what happened.'” (according to the same source)

Of course, this doesn’t mean all hotels on Jeju Island are dangerous. It seems incidents have occurred there coincidentally. However, in popular tourist spots like this, it’s crucial to remain vigilant against all types of trouble, not just sexual assaults.