AOA member Kwon Min-ah: "Sexual assault victim since middle school, rape conviction recognized after 18 years" [Full text]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kwon Min-ah, 33, formerly of the group AOA, has sparked discussion after successfully having her sexual assault perpetrator punished through legal means after 18 years.

On the 19th, Kwon Min-ah posted on her Instagram, "Today marks the end of a long journey lasting over four years," referring to her sexual assault case.

She wrote, "I am the victim, Kwon Min-ah. When I began preparing for and starting the trial, the incident had occurred 14 years prior. I thought that if I could prove not only rape but also the injury charge, the statute of limitations would not have expired, and the perpetrator could face severe punishment. My heart raced, my expectations grew, I felt greedy, and I gained hope. Even when the prosecutor recommended a 10-year sentence, the prosecutor seemed disappointed, but I was excited again, as if the perpetrator would definitely receive a prison sentence. And I felt warm knowing that so many people, though not direct victims of this case, stepped forward even more diligently than I did."

Kwon Min-ah stated, "Now that the verdict has been issued through the second trial, the rape charge has been recognized, but the injury charge was not. As a result, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, no further punishment can be imposed. However, the four years were not entirely painful. From my perspective as the victim, whether the outcome was guilty or not was important, but I find great significance in at least one charge being recognized. Regardless, it has been revealed that this person is a bad person, so I believe I can be fully satisfied with the current result."

She continued, "This incident from 18 years ago has now become history. Back then, due to the social context and atmosphere, we had to keep quiet and hide it. But now, the atmosphere seems different. I dare to say to many victims: do not blame yourselves, do not hide, and do not be ashamed. Please find even more courage and raise your voices as loudly as you can. To the police officers and prosecutors who, instead of me, carried the burden of this case and ran alongside me, I am truly, truly sorry and grateful. Now, before moving on to other cases, I hope they can put this case behind them, lighten their load a little, and rest comfortably. Thank you. And to everyone who, though I never asked, bravely spoke from the witness stand because of me, I am truly, truly grateful and sorry."

Kwon Min-ah added, "Although I must prepare for another difficult lawsuit, and I already feel tired and powerless knowing that if I do not step forward diligently in this case, no one can take my place or protect me, the fact that a major crime was recognized in the verdict of this long-past case makes me feel that, rather than being greedy for the severity of punishment and the outcome this time, I should hope that 'at least my words are recognized and accepted.' Even if I am disappointed with the result, or even if permanent scars remain, I hope that by then I will be more mature and stronger than I am now."

She further wrote, "Therefore, rather than rushing my thoughts, I will first focus solely on treatment. In fact, my job search ended after just one day of work. They were wonderful people, but I am a bit tired to push myself to do anything right now. Many people around me are worried about me due to recent events, but for now, I am thinking only of myself and will do my best to handle the priority skin treatment that I can manage within myself. So please do not worry too much! I am only tired for a short while. I will rest well without the obsession with time as before, replenish my strength, and try to make an effort again when the right timing comes. I just feel relieved now. I have finally finished one homework assignment. I should do well on the others too. Everyone, stay strong, and I hope you all have safe days filled with small joys."

Kwon Min-ah debuted with the group AOA in 2012 but left the team in 2019. Later, in 2021, she claimed she had been bullied for over 10 years by former leader Shin Jimin, causing a public uproar. As a result of this incident, Shin Jimin also left the group.

Today marks the end of a long journey lasting over four years.

Victim Kwon Min-ah

When I began preparing for and starting the trial, the incident had occurred 14 years prior. I thought that if I could prove not only rape but also the injury charge, the statute of limitations would not have expired, and the perpetrator could face severe punishment. My heart raced, my expectations grew, I felt greedy, and I gained hope. Even when the prosecutor recommended a 10-year sentence, the prosecutor seemed disappointed, but I was excited again, as if the perpetrator would definitely receive a prison sentence. And I felt warm knowing that so many people, though not direct victims of this case, stepped forward even more diligently than I did.

Now that the verdict has been issued through the second trial, the rape charge has been recognized, but the injury charge was not. As a result, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, no further punishment can be imposed. However, the four years were not entirely painful.

From my perspective as the victim, whether the outcome was guilty or not was important, but I find great significance in at least one charge being recognized. Regardless, it has been revealed that this person is a bad person, so I believe I can be fully satisfied with the current result. This incident from 18 years ago has now become history. Back then, due to the social context and atmosphere, we had to keep quiet and hide it. But now, the atmosphere seems different. I dare to say to many victims: do not blame yourselves, do not hide, and do not be ashamed. Please find even more courage and raise your voices as loudly as you can.

To the police officers and prosecutors who, instead of me, carried the burden of this case and ran alongside me, I am truly, truly sorry and grateful.

Now, before moving on to other cases, I hope they can put this case behind them, lighten their load a little, and rest comfortably. Thank you.

And to everyone who, though I never asked, bravely spoke from the witness stand because of me, I am truly, truly grateful and sorry.

Although I must prepare for another difficult lawsuit, and I already feel tired and powerless knowing that if I do not step forward diligently in this case, no one can take my place or protect me, the fact that a major crime was recognized in the verdict of this long-past case makes me feel that, rather than being greedy for the severity of punishment and the outcome this time, I should hope that 'at least my words are recognized and accepted.' Even if I am disappointed with the result, or even if permanent scars remain, I hope that by then I will be more mature and stronger than I am now. Therefore, rather than rushing my thoughts, I will first focus solely on treatment. In fact, my job search ended after just one day of work. They were wonderful people, but I am a bit tired to push myself to do anything right now. Many people around me are worried about me due to recent events, but for now, I am thinking only of myself and will do my best to handle the priority skin treatment that I can manage within myself. So please do not worry too much! I am only tired for a short while. I will rest well without the obsession with time as before, replenish my strength, and try to make an effort again when the right timing comes. I just feel relieved now. I have finally finished one homework assignment.

I should do well on the others too. Everyone, stay strong, and I hope you all have safe days filled with small joys.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.