South Korean woman fined for pulling down male colleague's trousers

A South Korean court has fined a woman for sexual misconduct after she pulled down a colleague's trousers - and his underwear, by accident - in front of their colleagues, local media reported.

On top of the 2.8 million won ($2,100; £1,500) fine, the woman in her 50s has also been ordered to complete eight hours of sexual violence prevention education.

The incident reportedly happened last October at a restaurant kitchen in Gangwon province in the north-east.

The Chuncheon District Court's ruling on Saturday rejected the woman's claim that she had intended it to be a prank on her colleague, who is in his 20s.

But the court said it was taking into account the fact that she had no prior criminal record and had shown remorse. She had knelt down to apologise to the man and his parents, the judge said.

"It seems like they punished a simple prank too harshly," says one comment under the Chosun Daily's report of the case.

But another reader argues, "The fine is not excessive at all. Why are you playing this kind of prank? Does this look like a prank to you?"

Pulling down someone's trousers, which could include underwear - "pantsing" or "debagging" as it's known - is often seen as a common practical joke despite criticism that it is a form of bullying.

Pantsing has long been used as a comic routine on variety shows and reality TV in South Korea.

But it has got people in trouble as well. In 2019, South Korean Olympic short track speed skating champion Lim Hyo-jun was suspended for a year after he pulled down a male teammate's trousers in front of other female skaters.

And in 2021, a group of elementary school students in North Jeolla Province were investigated for bullying a younger boy at a playground, after the victim's mother told police that they had pulled her son's pants down.