A former professional baseball player and Busan-based gang member turned internet broadcaster (BJ) had his sentence reduced on appeal for habitually assaulting his girlfriend.
According to legal sources, the Criminal Appeals Division 1 of Busan District Court (presided over by Chief Judge Lee Jae-deok) on Wednesday accepted the defendant's claim of unfair sentencing, overturned the original ruling and sentenced A, in his 30s, to 4 years and 6 months in prison on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violence (repeat offense of inflicting injury). A had previously received a 7-year prison sentence in the lower court, which was heavier than the 6 years sought by prosecutors.
According to the prosecution's indictment, A is accused of habitually assaulting B, with whom he was in a romantic relationship, between May 2022 and September 2025 by hitting her face and body and choking her, causing injuries requiring up to 8 weeks of treatment.
A reportedly assaulted B indiscriminately during internet broadcasts because he disliked her stopping him from drinking or because he became angry when she told him to "live like a decent person." A also reportedly used force against B after being told he had to go to a police investigation regarding the assault. A has a record of six prior criminal punishments for various violent offenses between 2011 and last year.
The appellate court stated, "Although the defendant's culpability appears to be considerably heavy, considering that he acknowledges and is remorseful for his crimes, has deposited compensation for the victim, and is making efforts to repair the damage, the original sentence is judged to be somewhat heavy."
A, a former professional baseball pitcher, voluntarily left his team after controversy arose over a robbery he had committed in high school. He subsequently lived as a gang member and reportedly worked as an internet broadcasting BJ.
