Legal Q&A

I belatedly realized that the content of my testimony was not true. Am I subject to punishment for perjury?

I ended up testifying as a witness at a trial in the capacity of a reference witness. Thinking that my testimony would determine someone's life, I testified with a sense of responsibility and duty, but it turned out that the facts were false. The situation is essentially that I fell into a trap set by a related person. In this case, does it still constitute a crime even when I only belatedly realized that the testimony was false?

When does the statute of limitations for prosecution end?

This is a question about the statute of limitations for prosecution. Regarding a shameful and bewildering molestation crime that I suffered several years ago, I would like, even now, to file a complaint against the offender and turn it into a case. Seeing them now living confidently and successfully makes me resentful, and although I thought I could forget it, it does not go as I wish. I strongly wish to find out exactly whether the statute of limitations has passed, to file a police complaint, and to bring the other party to trial. Please tell me the statute of limitations for the crime of sexual molestation.

Can I be punished even if I participate in a crime only indirectly (as an accessory)?

I somehow became caught up in insurance fraud committed by a close younger friend. I absolutely did not directly cause the accident or receive the insurance proceeds; I only vaguely knew that such conduct had occurred, and out of consideration for our past relationship, I simply did not report it anywhere. Even in a case like this, does it constitute the crime of aiding and abetting, which is committing a crime indirectly? If I am punished as an accessory, what would the level of punishment be?

Can I be punished for a forcible indecent act even without using assault or intimidation?

As far as I know, a forcible indecent act requires the use of assault or intimidation. Is that correct? And intimidation is actually somewhat ambiguous, so I am a little confused about how this is determined. Is there an attorney or expert who could explain this in detail? I would appreciate a quick reply. Thank you.

Must a complaint for damages be filed separately?

I was defrauded in an investment, and the investment amount exceeds 100 million won. It appears to be not merely fraud but also embezzlement, and there are countless victims like me. We intend to join forces and file a complaint together to pursue the case criminally, including for occupational embezzlement. However, I would like to know whether, after filing a criminal complaint for fraud, I must again go through a procedure such as a complaint for damages in order to also receive damages in a civil matter, or whether damages will naturally follow if I prevail in the criminal case.

Does a sentence of a fine also leave a criminal record?

I work at an elderly care facility, and I have heard that there is a high possibility of a fine being imposed at the first-instance trial for a violation of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act. The fine itself is only at the level of a few million won, but I am told that if a criminal record from a fine remains, I will not be able to work at elderly welfare facilities and the like. This is what I have trained for, and I cannot switch to another occupation at this point, so I would like to conclude the matter, as far as possible, without a criminal record remaining.

Can I receive leniency if I write a letter of reflection?

I caused a traffic accident, and although no one was seriously injured, the victim was diagnosed with an injury requiring 4 weeks of recovery. As my circumstances have been difficult and it has been quite a while since I was unable to pay my insurance premiums, it seems the matter cannot be settled through insurance and I will have to go through criminal proceedings. I want to seek leniency through a settlement. Do I necessarily have to pay money in order to receive leniency? Is it difficult to obtain leniency with only documents such as a letter of reflection and a plea?

Is a person punished even for negligent infliction of injury that is not intentional?

By some accident and mistake, I caused a wound on the victim's body, and unluckily I ended up inflicting bodily injury on the victim. Failing to exercise care was my fault, but even though I did not deliberately and intentionally cause the injury, must I still admit fault? If I caused injury through negligent infliction of injury, can I clear my sense of unfairness by facing the investigation on my own, without an attorney's help?

Reoffending during the period of a suspended sentence: what happens?

I committed the offense of prostitution, and even though I was in the period of a suspended sentence, I could not overcome my urges and attempted prostitution again, so I am about to be labeled a repeat offender. However, this time I did not actually engage in prostitution, and although I cannot go into detail, there is a side to the situation that, at first glance, feels unfair. If reoffending during the period of a suspended sentence results in aggravated punishment, does that mean the time already accumulated during the earlier suspended sentence all goes to waste and I must be punished all over again?