SK: Man drives truck in front of a school, with the banner asking for the students to be his servant and bear a baby

[Artaxerxes II]

SK: "Think of yourself as a servant and bear my child. Thirteen years old is enough." ... A bizarre and outrageous display.: https://news.nate.com/view/20241216n00886

(Seoul = News1) Senior Reporter Park Tae-hoon – What if a banner saying, "Looking for a female servant to bear my child and manage my household," was hung in front of the school my daughter attends?

It’s clear that the person responsible would immediately be grabbed by the collar, taken to the police station, and questioned, "Who are you?" If not for the law, the individual who hung this bizarre and outrageous banner would likely have been beaten up by parents.

A year ago, on December 16, 2023, the Daegu District Court's Criminal Appeals Division 2-2 (Presiding Judge Son Dae-sik) sentenced Mr. A (59), who had hung the banner, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation. Upon hearing the verdict, citizens expressed mixed reactions, saying, "Isn’t the punishment too light?" while also acknowledging, "It’s understandable considering he suffers from schizophrenia."

Earlier, on April 13 of the same year, the Daegu District Court’s Western Branch Criminal Division 5 had also sentenced Mr. A to 10 months in prison with 2 years of probation for violating the Child Welfare Act (including soliciting lewd acts, mediating, and sexual harassment of children).

The prosecution demanded a 1-year prison sentence in both the first trial and the appeal, but the courts in both instances stated, "Mr. A’s actions constitute sexual abuse that causes sexual shame to children," while also considering his poor health condition. The courts showed leniency by granting probation, urging him to receive treatment under his family’s care.

Online Communities Abuzz Over "Grandpa Looking for a Servant to Bear His Child" Banner

On March 8, 2022, various online communities were set ablaze by a single photo. That morning, in front of a girls' middle and high school in Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Mr. A parked a 1-ton truck and hung a banner.

The banner read in small print, "Students who are so different from the world that they can’t stand studying, come to this vehicle." Below, in larger letters, it stated, "Looking for a sacrificial servant, aged 13–20, to bear a child and manage the household for a lonely 60-year-old grandfather. Come to this vehicle." At the bottom, a contact number starting with 053, the area code for Daegu, was written.

Shocked teachers reported the incident to the police… A public human trafficker, a 'back to the future' from the Joseon era.

The banner was forcibly removed after a teacher, alarmed by its content, reported it to the police. The police requested Mr. A to accompany them voluntarily, took him to the station for questioning, and then sent him home after his family stated that he was "not in a sound mental state."

However, a week later, Mr. A reappeared in front of the school and hung the same banner again. The police arrested him on the spot, applied for a detention warrant, and, in consultation with Dalseo-gu Office, took administrative measures to admit him to a mental hospital.

Netizens who saw Mr. A’s antics commented, "This is the first time I’ve seen a public human trafficker," "It seems like a performance criticizing arranged marriages," and "He’s like a Joseon-era nobleman back to the future."

Students, terrified by the banner, chose alternative routes to school, while parents accompanied their daughters to ensure their safety, creating an unusual scene.

"13 Years Old Isn’t Too Young, Over 20 Is Problematic"… Parents Struggle as They Accompany Their Children to School

As Mr. A’s actions became a hot topic, SBS’s "Curious Stories Y" crew rushed to Daegu to meet him and aired a segment titled "The Ugly Desire: Why Did That Grandfather Appear in Front of the Girls’ High School?" on March 18.

When the female production crew expressed their intention to interview him, Mr. A snapped, "You seem too old to qualify. If you’re not going to bear my child, don’t call me." When asked about women over 20, he casually replied, "It’s a bit difficult for me. If I have to, I’ll consider 20-year-olds, but I’d appreciate it if you could introduce me to younger ones."

Regarding 13-year-olds, Mr. A made a shocking statement: "People might think they’re too young, but they’re capable (of bearing children). In the Joseon era, teenage girls married men in their 60s and 70s and had children. If you think of them as servants, it’s simple."

A neighbor revealed that Mr. A had exhibited strange behaviors in the past, such as killing stray cats.

Mr. A: "I Only Shared My Thoughts, I Never Forced Anyone"… Defense: "He Needs Treatment, Please Show Leniency"

During the trial, Mr. A argued, "I only conveyed my desire to continue my lineage. I never forced anyone. The wording isn’t obscene or depraved, and it doesn’t constitute sexual abuse." His defense attorney pleaded for leniency, stating, "He needs treatment rather than criminal punishment. Please allow him to receive treatment under his family’s care."

The court accepted this, sparing him from actual imprisonment with probation. However, considering his past criminal record for similar offenses, the court ordered probation, public disclosure of his personal information, and a 5-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and welfare facilities for the disabled.

[BLueRibbon]

Mu should tackle Korea's extreme 'child abuse' laws at some point. The definition is outrageously broad, and has led to teachers being charged with 'emotional abuse' simply for scolding badly-behaved students.

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/12038246 ... ts-parents

Changes have supposedly been made, but the broad definition of 'child abuse' apparently remains.

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/ne ... ss/1875415
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66877389