While there were, of course, several reasons for my visit to the courthouse, primarily, it was because the trial for the school violence case I’d seen on the morning news was scheduled for tomorrow.
Hearing of this, I decided to review the relevant incidents beforehand.
Upon informing Seon-ah of my purpose for being at the courthouse, she lauded my diligence by treating me to a carton of strawberry milk.
As I leisurely sipped the strawberry milk through a straw, I began to peruse the indictment.
****
Defendants: Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Hae-jun, Choi Ji-gang
Victim: Lee Jeong-woo
Statement of Offenses
Defendants Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Hae-jun, and Choi Ji-gang, all classmates of the victim Lee Jeong-woo, had habitually subjected the victim to continuous bullying and assault.
The defendants summoned the victim, Lee Jeong-woo, and then threatened him, attempting to forcibly extract his mobile phone password.
Defendant Kim Tae-hoon grabbed the victim by the collar, dragged him to the classroom window, and, while holding him half-suspended outside the window, threatened him with words to the effect of, “If you don’t tell me the password, I’ll drop you.”
Defendant Choi Ji-gang aided this act by opening the window and urging the victim to be suspended.
Defendant Lee Hae-jun actively participated by making threatening remarks to the victim from the side.
During this process, as the victim continued to refuse their demands, Defendant Kim Tae-hoon forcefully struck the victim’s face with his fist.
Consequently, due to the impact, the victim’s grip loosened, causing him to fall from the 5th-floor classroom window.
This resulted in severe disabilities, including multiple fractures and spinal cord injuries, rendering him unable to walk for life.
Therefore, Defendants Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Hae-jun, and Choi Ji-gang are hereby indicted for the crime of grievous bodily harm, pursuant to Article 258, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Act.
Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon, Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.
****
A painful memory abruptly resurfaced: the news I’d once heard that a childhood friend, with whom I’d been close in elementary school, had taken their own life after enduring school violence in high school.
“They’re complete bastards.”
My inadvertent curse escaped my lips, and I quickly scanned my surroundings, concerned someone might have overheard.
To my relief, the staff in the judge’s chambers were all engrossed in their work, seemingly oblivious to my outburst.
A sigh of relief escaped me, and a faint smile played on my lips as my eyes landed on the indictment’s final sentence.
‘Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon again. How utterly dependable.’
After perusing the indictment several times, a particular question began to form in my mind.
While my legal knowledge isn’t extensive, reading this indictment gave me the distinct impression that Kim Tae-hoon was the sole direct perpetrator responsible for Lee Jeong-woo’s fall.
This raised a crucial question: why had Prosecutor Seo Ji-hyeon chosen to indict all three individuals on charges of grievous bodily harm?
“Unnie (TL Note: A Korean term of address used by a female to an older female friend or sister), I have a question.”
“What is it?”
Handing the indictment to Seon-ah, I articulated my confusion, and she promptly offered an explanation.
“Hmm, that’s an excellent question, Ha-yeon.
Under Korean law, not only the person who directly inflicted harm on the victim but also those who assisted in the crime can all be jointly indicted.”
“So, will the other two also receive the same punishment as the defendant who was the direct cause?”
After a brief pause for consideration, Seon-ah began her explanation.
“Well… in criminal law, those who participate in a crime are categorized and punished as either joint principals (co-conspirators) or accessories.”
“In this case, not only Defendant Kim Tae-hoon, who directly threw the punch, but also Lee Hae-jun and Choi Ji-gang, who jointly carried out the crime by threatening from the side or instigating the atmosphere, can be indicted as joint principals for grievous bodily harm.”
Despite the proliferation of somewhat complex legal terms, which made my head ache slightly, I exerted my utmost effort to grasp the concepts.
“But if they’re indicted under the same charge, does that mean the level of punishment they receive will be similar?”
“While an accessory’s sentence might be somewhat mitigated, in a case like this, where the victim suffers a severe, disabling injury, it can be treated almost as gravely as if they were a principal offender.”
‘So, if I’m understanding correctly, even if all three receive harsh sentences, those scoundrels won’t have much room to complain, will they?’
‘Excellent. They’re all utterly finished.’
“I always knew Ha-yeon was smart, but I didn’t expect such sharp questions.”
“It feels so good, Ha-yeon, to see that our three months of studying together with Unnie (TL Note: A Korean term of address used by a female to an older female friend or sister) have paid off.”
Seon-ah beamed at me with a proud gaze, akin to a master watching a disciple who, having absorbed all knowledge, was now ready to descend the mountain.
‘Though, to be precise, I wasn’t the one who had spent three months learning from you, but…’
‘Nevertheless, as it was praise, I decided to accept it graciously.’
As I savored Seon-ah’s hand gently stroking my hair, Chief Park (TL Note: A Korean title for a section chief or manager) strode purposefully towards us.
“Judges, the victim’s mother for tomorrow’s trial has come to the courthouse.
What should we do?”
“Can’t we just let her in?”
“No, because, in principle, it’s impossible for a victim’s parent to meet a judge before the trial.”
‘Indeed, I suppose, viewed from a certain angle, it could certainly spark controversy over the impartiality of the trial.’
“Then I will send her back.”
“Yes, please do.
And it would be good if you could also tell her not to worry.”
Seon-ah’s face, as she relayed the refusal based on principle, clouded over with a hint of melancholy.
Being someone so attuned to the emotions of others, she must have felt a pang of regret over the unalterable circumstances.
As her friend, I found myself unwilling to simply let this matter go.
“Unnie (TL Note: A Korean term of address used by a female to an older female friend or sister), I’m going to go play at the playground in front of the courthouse for a bit.
Ha-rin contacted me, saying she wants to play together.”
‘My apologies, Ha-rin; though I’ve only just ‘met’ you today, I’ll have to use you as an excuse.’
“Then, with Unnie (TL Note: A Korean term of address used by a female to an older female friend or sister)—”
“Tsk! Where does an adult think they’re going where vibrant young kids are playing?!”
Having delivered my reprimand to Seon-ah, I swiftly sprinted towards Chief Park’s (TL Note: A Korean title for a section chief or manager) desk.
“Chief Park (TL Note: A Korean title for a section chief or manager), where are the victim’s parents right now?”
“Huh…? Ah.
You’re not going to meet them, are you…?”
“Oh, come on, surely not.
Would I do that?”
Chief Park (TL Note: A Korean title for a section chief or manager) cast a furtive glance at Seon-ah before leaning in and whispering to me, his voice barely audible to avoid her hearing.
“They are at the courthouse entrance.”
“Thank you…!!”
Expressing my gratitude, I bolted straight for the courthouse entrance.
There was a certain thrill to freely dashing through the courthouse corridors, a faint sense of rebellion that uplifted my spirits.
Stepping out of the elevator, my gaze fell upon a woman seated on a chair near the entrance, her head deeply bowed.
An immediate intuition struck me: this woman was Lee Jeong-woo’s mother, the victim.
With a practiced ease, I settled onto the chair directly beside her.
“Isn’t the weather truly lovely today?”
At my question, the woman slowly lifted her head, her gaze meeting mine.
From her perspective, she naturally wouldn’t know I was the presiding judge; she would merely perceive me as a bright-faced elementary school student.
Indeed, that very impression was precisely what I desired.
“Yes, it is.
The weather is truly beautiful.”
“Auntie (TL Note: A respectful term for an older woman, not necessarily a relative), why have you come here?”
She remained silent for a prolonged moment, only opening her mouth after several tense seconds had elapsed.
“..Hmm, I just… had something I wanted to convey.”
A victim’s parent would undoubtedly possess an overwhelming multitude of words they wished to convey to a judge.
Yet, her deepest desire remained out of reach, for private contact between a judge and a victim’s parent was strictly prohibited.
However, might it not be permissible to simply engage in conversation with a mere elementary school student?
“Shall I deliver your message for you?”
“..If only that were possible, I would be grateful.”
Briefly lost in contemplation, she finally broke another prolonged silence.
“I don’t know if it’s possible, but if it is… could you do that for me?”
“Of course.”
The auntie (TL Note: A respectful term for an older woman, not necessarily a relative) slowly closed her eyes, then continued speaking, her words measured and deliberate.
“My son… he always helped others from a young age.
He would share his lunchbox side dishes with friends, and he was always the first to approach a friend in need.”
“Even at school, his teachers always said he was kind and warm-hearted.
I don’t understand why such a child has to endure such hardship.”
“Every time I see my son’s face in the hospital bed, unable to move his legs, my heart feels like it’s burning to ashes.”
“All I wish for… is for those bad kids who did this to Jeong-woo to receive the proper punishment.”
Her lengthy narrative concluded with a cascade of tears, prompting me to quietly offer her a tissue.
“I’m sorry… to be such a weak adult, crying and saying such things in front of a young child.”
“Everyone has moments when they want to cry, don’t they?
Whether they’re an adult, or someone’s parent.
Does age truly matter when it comes to crying?”
“..You’re such a mature child… Would you mind pretending you didn’t hear what I just said…?”
“I spoke to you feeling like I was clutching at straws.
I regret telling such things to a young child like you.”
‘My apologies, but feigning ignorance of what I’ve heard might prove rather difficult.’
‘Indeed, thanks to your words, my resolve to impose a far more severe punishment upon those scoundrels has only solidified.’
Offering the auntie (TL Note: A respectful term for an older woman, not necessarily a relative) a faint, reassuring smile, I rose from my seat.
“I’ll see you in court tomorrow.”
The auntie (TL Note: A respectful term for an older woman, not necessarily a relative), seemingly failing to fully grasp the import of my words, merely offered me a gentle smile.
“Yes.
Thank you for listening to my story.”
“Don’t mention it.”
‘Rest assured, the words you wished to convey to the judge have been heard and understood.’
‘I hope the verdict in court tomorrow will bring you some measure of satisfaction.’
Allowing my unheard thoughts to echo within me, I turned and directed my steps toward my designated place.
