South Korean monk gets 2 years for assaulting citizen with moktak

A South Korean monk has been sentenced to two years in prison for a violent assault. The incident occurred when the 60-year-old monk, identified as Mr. A, attacked a 70-year-old citizen with a moktak, a Buddhist percussion instrument. The assault happened after the victim reportedly made mocking remarks towards the monk.

CCTV footage captured the entire assault, which included the monk striking the victim multiple times on the face and head with the moktak and its stick, kicking him in the face, and strangling him. The monk admitted to all charges in court.

This is not the first time Mr. A has faced legal consequences for his actions. He has a criminal record that includes a two-year prison sentence in 2021 for trespassing and subsequent sentences for assault in 2023 and 2024.

The court emphasized the severity of the assault and the victim's injuries, stating that the monk's repeated offenses, even after serving prison time for similar crimes, necessitated a strict punishment.