Reacting to criticisms of leniency, Gwangju High Court judge Jang Jung-hee said, "The court could not sentence them to harsh punishments because the victims dropped the charges against the perpetrators.
Menanggapi kritik ringan, hakim Pengadilan Tinggi Gwangju, Jang Jung-hee berkata, "Pengadilan tidak dapat menghukum mereka untuk hukuman yang keras karena para korban menjatuhkan dakwaan terhadap para pelaku.