Former AOA Kwon Mina Concludes 4-Year Trial for 18-Year-Old Assault Case

Former AOA member and actress Kwon Mina has announced the conclusion of a long-standing legal battle concerning a sexual assault that occurred 18 years ago. While the appellate court officially recognized the charge of rape, the perpetrator will not face criminal punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Key Facts

• On May 19, 2026, Kwon Mina shared that the second trial regarding a sexual crime she suffered as a middle school student has concluded after four years of litigation.
• The appellate court recognized the charge of rape but did not accept the charge of injury.
• Criminal punishment is impossible because the statute of limitations for the rape charge has expired.
• The prosecution had previously requested a 10-year prison sentence for the perpetrator.
• Mina first disclosed the trauma of the hours-long assault and sexual violence in 2023.
• Despite the lack of sentencing, the actress expressed satisfaction that the court confirmed the perpetrator’s wrongdoing.

Key Terms

• Statute of Limitations: A law setting the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.
• Appellate Court: A court responsible for reviewing appeals from cases heard in trial-level or lower courts.

Key Quote

"The fact itself that at least one crime was recognized is very meaningful to me [and] I am sufficiently satisfied with the current result because it was confirmed that this person is someone who did wrong." — Kwon Mina

Next

• Kwon Mina encouraged sexual violence survivors to find the courage to speak up rather than hiding or blaming themselves.