An elderly man in his 60s, identified as A, has been sentenced to 8 months in prison with 2 years of probation for stalking 15-year-old singer Oh Yu-jin. Oh Yu-jin gained fame after finishing third on the popular show “Miss Trot 3.”
The Changwon District Court’s Jinju Branch Criminal Chamber 3, led by Senior Judge Kim Do-hyung, handed down the sentence on the 30th of last month. In addition to the prison term and probation, A was ordered to attend a 40-hour stalking prevention lecture and face restrictions concerning the victim.
A persistently stalked Oh Yu-jin from May to November last year, claiming she was his daughter. He went as far as visiting her school and making multiple calls to her grandmother. Furthermore, A tarnished Oh’s reputation by leaving dozens of comments on YouTube spreading false information that he was her biological father.
On an SBS current affairs program, A made baseless claims that Oh Yu-jin’s appearance and singing style were similar to his, asserting she was his daughter. He admitted to visiting her school to observe her from a distance, claiming emotional distress upon seeing her resemblance to himself.
Chief Judge Kim Do-hyung emphasized that A’s actions caused mental anguish to the victim and her family. Despite the prosecution’s demand for a one-year prison term and mandatory stalking treatment, the court’s decision reflects the severity of A’s misconduct and its impact on the victim.
The case has raised concerns about the safety and privacy of celebrities and their families, highlighting the need for stronger protections against stalking and harassment in the entertainment industry.
