Third-Generation Male Idol Sentenced To Probation After Committing Sex Crimes Three Times

On May 21st, the Seoul High Court upheld the first trial’s sentence for Himchan, sentencing him to three years in prison and five years of probation for violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.

The court upheld the previous orders for Himchan, which included probation, attending 40 hours of lectures on sexual violence treatment, and being restricted from working in institutions and organizations that serve children, adolescents, and disabled individuals for a period of three years.

The original ruling was upheld by the court, as both Himchan’s side and the prosecution’s appeals were rejected. The court emphasized their decision to reject the appeals.

In 2018, Himchan served a 10-month prison sentence and was required to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program. This was due to his conviction for forcibly harassing a woman in her 20s at a pension in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do. Four years later, in April 2022, Himchan faced another indictment for the same charge. This time, the victim was a woman at a bar located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Himchan faced a second trial when a woman in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul accused him of committing sexual assault against her in May of the same year. Additionally, she accused him of illegally filming and distributing her photos in June.

Despite having completed his first sentence for forced harassment on December 8th of last year, Himchan was arrested once again for additional charges of sexual assault. He has since confessed to the charges in the second case and has appealed for leniency by compensating each victim with 10 million won.