Police book Wonju motel owner after man allegedly raped elementary pupil there
In short
Wonju Police Station in Gangwon said on October 9 it had booked the owner of an unmanned motel, a person in their 60s, for violating the Youth Protection Act. The owner is accused of failing to stop a man in his 30s and an elementary school pupil from staying in the same room at the motel. The man has been referred to prosecutors in custody on charges of raping the pupil at the motel.
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Police in Wonju, Gangwon, have booked the owner of an unmanned motel on suspicion of violating the Youth Protection Act after an elementary school pupil was allegedly raped at the premises, Yonhap and other outlets reported on October 9. Wonju Police Station said it was questioning the owner, who is in their 60s and identified only as A. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The owner is accused of neglecting the duty to manage and supervise guests, including failing to prevent a man in his 30s, identified as B, and an elementary school pupil from staying together in a room at the motel the owner runs. Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo said this happened last month. Dong-A Ilbo said the owner is also accused of neglecting to check the identity of guests. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The man has been referred to prosecutors in custody on charges of raping the pupil at the motel. According to Dong-A Ilbo, he is accused of calling the child out to the motel where he was staying. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The owner reportedly told police that because the person who made the booking was an adult, the owner was unable to check whether a minor was staying in the room. Dong-A Ilbo's version of the statement said the owner could not check this promptly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Police said that after investigating whether the owner broke the Youth Protection Act, they would notify Wonju city and other relevant agencies of the results. Yonhap said this was so that administrative action could be taken, and Dong-A Ilbo said such action could include a suspension of business. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Police are pursuing the operator of the premises as well as the alleged attacker, over the operator's duty to supervise guests and keep minors from staying with adults. Police said they would pass the results to Wonju city and other agencies so that administrative action can be taken against the business.
Key facts
- Wonju Police Station in Gangwon booked the owner of an unmanned motel, a person in their 60s, on suspicion of violating the Youth Protection Act, police said on October 9. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The owner is accused of neglecting the supervision of guests, including failing to prevent a man in his 30s and an elementary school pupil from staying together in a room. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The incident took place last month at the motel the owner runs. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The man in his 30s has been referred to prosecutors in custody on charges of raping the elementary school pupil at the motel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The owner reportedly told police that because the person who made the booking was an adult, the owner could not check whether a minor was staying. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Police plan to notify Wonju city and other relevant agencies of the results of the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Wonju Police Station booked the owner of an unmanned motel, a person in their 60s, for violating the Youth Protection Act. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The owner is accused of failing to prevent a man in his 30s and an elementary school pupil from staying in the same room. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The man in his 30s was referred to prosecutors in custody on charges of raping the pupil at the motel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The owner reportedly said the booking was made by an adult, so the owner could not check whether a minor was staying. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Police plan to notify Wonju city and other relevant agencies of the investigation's results. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How the man and the pupil came to be at the motel. Only Dong-A Ilbo says the man called the child out to the motel where he was staying; the other outlets do not describe this.
- What administrative action the motel could face. Only Dong-A Ilbo mentions a possible suspension of business; the police investigation into the owner is still under way.
- The exact date of the incident. The documents say only that it happened last month.