A 30-year-old Brazilian woman was formally sentenced in South Korea for acts of stalking and trespassing against renowned singer Jung Kook, a member of the K-pop group BTS. The court decision, which resulted in a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years, was widely publicized in the South Korean press.
The sentence indicates that the Brazilian will not be immediately imprisoned, but will have to comply with strict conditions imposed by the Court and refrain from new infractions during the period of suspension. The case gained international attention, especially after revelations about the defendant’s mental health and her family’s efforts to have her return to Brazil.
Brazilian woman receives sentence for persecution and invasion of property
The South Korean court sentenced the Brazilian citizen to a sentence of one year in prison, with the execution suspended for a period of two years. The charges filed against her included violating local laws against stalking and trespassing. The news was confirmed by outlets such as The Korea Times and Law Talk News.
Judge Park Ji-won, of the Western District Court of Seoul, established that the suspended sentence conditions the Brazilian woman to obey judicial guidelines and not commit new crimes during the next two years. Otherwise, the prison sentence may be activated. The woman’s situation had been monitored since her preventive detention in February.
South Korean legal measures against celebrity harassment
South Korea has been tightening its anti-stalking laws, largely driven by the growing problem of obsessive fans, known as “sasaengs”, who target K-pop celebrities. The reinforced legislation seeks to offer greater protection to the privacy and security of public figures, strictly penalizing behaviors such as those observed in this case.
The court highlighted aggravating factors in the Brazilian woman’s conduct, such as her persistence in going to the artist’s residence even after receiving police warnings. She also disregarded emergency measures that had been imposed by the authorities to curb harassment. The court decision reflects the seriousness with which the country treats such violations.
Chronology of incidents and the artist’s reaction
The sequence of events that culminated in the conviction included multiple visits to Jung Kook’s residence. In one of the most striking episodes, the Brazilian woman even rang the doorbell at the singer’s house 133 times in a single morning, in December last year. Previous incidents have led to investigations and arrests by Yongsan police.
Jung Kook himself expressed his desire for severe punishment, indicating the significant impact of acts of persecution on his personal life and routine. The artist’s determination was considered by the Court as an important element in the basis of the sentence.
Family drama and the issue of mental disorder
Relatives of the Brazilian woman, who live in São Paulo, expressed deep concern about the situation. They claim that the young woman suffers from a mental disorder and that her actions are the result of an outbreak, as she believes that Jung Kook is the “love of her life”. The family revealed to g1 that they tried, from the beginning, to make her return to Brazil possible.
The woman had traveled to Seoul in November without informing her relatives and was without the necessary controlled medication. The family reported that the situation generated great concern, especially after a similar outbreak in 2021, when the young woman was diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.
Post-sentence scenario: deportation and consular support
After the sentence becomes final, the Brazilian woman must be deported from the country. This measure is seen by the court as a factor that significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and new episodes of persecution of the artist. Preventive detention for around three months was also taken into account by the court.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in Seoul, informed that it is providing consular assistance to the Brazilian citizen. However, specific details about the deportation process and other personal information were not disclosed, respecting the Access to Information Law and the right to privacy.
Factors considered in the court decision
The South Korean court evaluated several circumstances to reach its decision, considering both the points that aggravated the situation and those that weighed in favor of the defendant.
- Persistence of visits to the artist’s home, even after police alerts and disregard for emergency measures.
- Ringing the bell 133 times in a single morning, highlighting the intensity of the persecution.
- Demand from Jung Kook himself for a rigorous punishment, highlighting the emotional impact.
- Actions motivated by expressing feelings to the singer, without the intention of causing direct physical harm.
- Lack of physical contact or access to intimate areas of the residence by the defendant.
- Reduction of the risk of recidivism, given the Brazilian’s previous detention and imminent deportation.