Jung Joon Young and Choi Jong Hoon Deny Charges Of Aggravated Rape At Joint Trial

Jung Joon Young and Choi Jong Hoon denied charges of aggravated rape (refers to rape that involves two or more perpetrators) at a preparatory hearing that took place on June 27 at 11 a.m. at the Seoul Central District Court.

A preparatory hearing allows the court to determine how the trial should proceed in the future after hearing statements from both the defendant’s side and the prosecution. The defendant is not required to attend.

Choi Jong Hoon faces charges of two different cases of aggravated rape, while Jung Joon Young was charged with violating the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Crimes as well as aggravated rape. They were both present at the hearing, along with other members of their chatroom Mr. Kwon, Burning Sun employee Mr. Kim, and Mr. Heo.

Jung Joon Young’s legal representative stated, “Regarding the charges of aggravated rape on March 20, 2016, we admit that there was sexual intercourse, but it is not true that he had planned with the defendants to quasi-rape an unspecified woman. Because she was not unconscious and there was mutual agreement, we deny the charges. The KakaoTalk conversation that was revealed was partly edited, and the investigator’s opinion (bias) was partially included.”

Choi Jong Hoon also admitted to being in the same place at the time, but he denied all charges made by prosecution, stating that he did not engage in sexual intercourse. His lawyer stated, “Though he does not accurately remember the events from three years prior, he had met [the victim] in the veranda, but he did not do any behavior that would be considered harassment. Unlike the other defendants, he did not engage in any sort of sexual intercourse.”

The lawyer continued, “Our stance is that it is safe to say that [Choi Jong Hoon] did not have sexual intercourse with the victim considering the details of how the victim [was invited to] the gathering and entered the hotel and also considering the KakaoTalk messages.”

Meanwhile, Jung Joon Young previously admitted to all charges made against him in his first preparatory hearing on May 10. Choi Jong Hoon was indicted on charges of sexual assault on June 3 based on the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes.

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