[Exclusive]'Alleged Sexual Assault of Student' Nam Gyeongju, Case Transferred to Collegiate Panel..'Considering Seriousness and Key Issues'

*This content was translated by AI.

• First trial postponed again on the 8th..'To be scheduled later'

The case against musical actor Nam Gyeongju, who was indicted for allegedly sexually assaulting a student, has been transferred to a collegiate panel.

According to an investigation by StarNews on the 8th, Seoul Central District Court issued a decision on reassignment of jurisdiction on the 3rd regarding the charge of sexual intercourse with a subordinate against Nam Gyeongju. The case was initially assigned to Criminal Division 13, which is handled by a single judge, but was reassigned to Criminal Collegiate Panel 29, where three judges deliberate, following the reassignment decision.

Reassignment of jurisdiction is a procedure that allows a collegiate panel to hear cases originally designated for a single judge, considering factors such as the importance of the case. Courts may assign cases involving complex factual or legal issues, significant social impact, or requiring specialized judgment to a collegiate panel. Given the transfer to a collegiate panel, Nam Gyeongju's trial is likely to be prolonged.

With the case transferred to a collegiate panel, the trial schedule has been adjusted again. The first court session scheduled for this day was postponed. This marks the second change in hearing date following the one on the 12th of last month. The court plans to set a new hearing date at a later time based on the reassignment decision.

Previously, on May 24, the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division 2 of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Nam Gyeongju without detention under the charge of sexual intercourse with a subordinate.

According to police, Nam Gyeongju is suspected of sexually assaulting female student A using his social status and influence at an unspecified location in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in December 2025.

It is reported that Student A called emergency services (112) immediately after the incident. While Nam Gyeongju denied the allegations during police investigation, authorities concluded that the charges were credible and transferred the case to the Prosecutors' Office in February. Subsequently, Nam Gyeongju's side requested mediation through criminal adjustment procedures in an attempt to reach a settlement, but the effort reportedly failed due to the victim's refusal.

Shortly after the incident came to light, Hongik University, where Nam Gyeongju was serving as a professor in the Department of Performing Arts, convened a disciplinary committee and removed him from his position.

Born in 1964, Nam Gyeongju is a representative figure of Korea's first generation of musical theater. After debuting with the play "Porgy and Bess" in 1984, he has appeared in numerous musical productions including "The Lady and the Tramps," "West Side Story," "Les Misérables," "Grease," and "42nd Street." He continued his activities last year by appearing in works such as "Hidden Love" and "The Show! Silla-Gyeongju."

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*This content was translated by AI.