Prominent Entertainment Executive Arrested for Assaulting Intoxicated Woman, Leaving Her Severely Injured

A high-ranking executive at a well-known entertainment agency has been transferred to prosecutors on charges of sexual assault and injury by negligence, after allegedly assaulting an intoxicated woman he had driven and abandoning her on the roadside, causing her severe harm.

According to TV Chosun on the 19th, the Seoul Seocho Police arrested and sent to prosecution Mr. A, a 50-year-old executive at the entertainment agency, without detention on charges of quasi-indecent assault and injury by negligence.

Mr. A is accused of picking up a woman who was too intoxicated to stand in Gangnam-gu in August, sexually assaulting her inside his vehicle, and then abandoning her on the roadside, leading to her serious injuries.

The victim was discovered approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes after being abandoned, following a report by a passerby. She was later diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage, skull fracture, and optic nerve damage, ultimately resulting in the loss of vision in her left eye.

Compounding the scandal, reports indicate that Mr. A committed this offense merely four months after his release from prison for similar crimes. He had previously been sentenced to two years in prison in January 2021 for sexually assaulting five women, including an intoxicated woman he picked up in his car.

In April 2023, the entertainment group where Mr. A served as CEO abruptly announced his resignation, citing 'personal family matters.' However, upon learning of his recent release from prison for similar offenses, police twice sought arrest warrants due to flight risk, but both were dismissed.

Korean netizens are expressing shock and anger, with comments like 'This is truly appalling,' and 'How could he commit such a crime so soon after being released?' Many are also sending their sympathies to the victim, wishing for her recovery.