South Korean court upholds 16-year sentence for doctor who raped sedated patients
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The Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Oh Seok-jun, upheld a lower-court ruling on Tuesday, sentencing Yeom (full name withheld) to 16 years in prison and a fine of 5 million won (US$3,700) for violations of the Narcotics Control Act and quasi-rape.
Yeom was indicted for illegally prescribing and administering a variety of controlled substances, including propofol, midazolam and ketamine, to Shin, the Rolls-Royce driver who in August 2023 fatally struck a pedestrian near Apgujeong Station in Seoul while under the influence of drugs.
The court concluded that the drugs were not used for medical purposes. In addition to the drug charges, Yeom was also convicted of repeatedly raping more than 10 female patients while they were under sedation and illegally filming their bodies hundreds of times without consent.
The Seoul Central District Court initially sentenced Yeom to 17 years in prison and a 5 million won fine in June last year. The court emphasised the gravity of his crimes, saying: 'One cannot overlook the moral collapse of a medical professional entrusted with the highest ethical standards.'
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The Seoul High Court later reduced his sentence by one year in January 2024, citing Yeom's partial admission of guilt and a 76 million won deposit he made as part of restitution efforts.
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