The second trial for broadcaster Yoo Young-jae, who has been indicted without detention for allegedly forcibly sexually assaulting actress Sunwoo Eun-sook's sister, will be held today (10th).
On the 10th, the 1st Criminal Division of the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Heo Yong-gu) will conduct the second trial for Yoo Young-jae, who is charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (forced sexual assault due to familial relations). The sister of Sunwoo Eun-sook, who has been selected as a witness, has requested that the trial be conducted in private.
At the first trial held on the 12th of last month, Yoo Young-jae's lawyer stated, "We deny the charges," and added, "We were unable to verify some materials, including transcripts. We will clarify the specific denial of the charges in the next trial." Yoo Young-jae, who attended the trial, is also reported to have denied the allegations against him.
The court has accepted two witnesses requested by the prosecution: Sunwoo Eun-sook's sister, the victim, and Sunwoo Eun-sook's ex-wife.
The court is expected to focus on reviewing the transcripts and other evidence submitted by the prosecution that detail the circumstances of the alleged forced sexual assault between Yoo Young-jae and Sunwoo Eun-sook's sister. Yoo Young-jae's side is also expected to conduct cross-examinations of the witnesses while questioning the defendant, with Sunwoo Eun-sook scheduled to testify on the 17th and Yoo Young-jae on the 24th, after which the arguments are expected to conclude.
Separately, Yoo Young-jae is also involved in an ongoing annulment lawsuit filed by Sunwoo Eun-sook.
The two announced their divorce in April this year, just 1 year and 6 months after their marriage. Following this, suspicions arose that Yoo Young-jae was in a "third marriage" rather than a remarriage, and Sunwoo Eun-sook appeared on MBN's "Sokpulri Show! Dongchimi," stating, "If I had known about the common-law relationship before marriage, and if it had been such a deep relationship, I would not have agreed to marry in just 8 days, nor would I have registered the marriage."
Additionally, Yoo Young-jae claimed it was a third marriage, saying, "(I am) legally the third wife." Subsequently, in April, Sunwoo Eun-sook's sister A filed a complaint against Yoo Young-jae for forced sexual assault at the Bundang Police Station, and Sunwoo Eun-sook also filed for annulment of marriage.
Yoo Young-jae's side has acknowledged the third marriage but denied the common-law relationship allegations. Due to the controversy, Yoo Young-jae stepped down from the ongoing radio show "Yoo Young-jae's Radio Show" on Gyeongin Broadcasting, and Sunwoo Eun-sook also expressed her apologies for causing fatigue and stepped down from the show "Sokpulri Show Dongchimi."
