Investigators suspect that an acupuncturist accused of raping a patient at his Vancouver office may have other victims, a Clark County prosecutor said Friday.
Kooyeoll K. Jung, 54, of Camas appeared in Clark County Superior Court Friday on suspicion of second-degree rape, indecent liberties and unlawful imprisonment.
Judge Suzan Clark held Jung in Clark County Jail in lieu of $750,000 in part because of concerns he may be a flight risk. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Nov. 7.
“This in an investigation that is ongoing,” said Deputy Prosecutor Randy St. Clair. “We believe there are going to be other victims.”
Jung is accused of raping a 51-year-old patient Sept. 12 inside a treatment room at the acupuncture office, 201 S.E. 124th Ave. Wearing a treatment gown, the woman was sitting on a treatment table when Jung pulled her off the table, restrained her up against the table and raped her, according to a court affidavit by Vancouver police Detective Barbara Knoeppel.
During his court appearance Friday, Jung put his face into his hands and cried when the charges were read out.
Jung’s sister, Jane Kang, said the allegations are unbelievable.
“Something is wrong,” Kang said. “He is not that kind of man.”
Kang said he always has conducted himself professionally and tries to help others in need.
“He is trustworthy, very nice, always tries to help others,” she said.
Knoeppel wrote that during a police interrogation Oct. 20, Jung confessed to having sexual contact with the woman.
“Jung denied any other victims,” Knoeppel wrote. “However, (he) stated that he had a prior sexual harassment complaint and was warned by his lawyer not to hug patients.”
Jung’s patients were quick to defend him Friday.
“I have been a patient of Dr. Jung’s for many years, and he has always been very professional,” wrote Maria Long in an email to The Columbian. “I have total respect and trust in him. I believe in his innocence.”
His patient, Sharon Gradt, wrote that the rape allegations are “puff of smoke.”
“This is a man who uses his knowledge to ease others’ pain, not cause others pain,” Gradt wrote.
“We must be careful how this man is being maligned by the court system and the reporting,” she continued. “Our system is showing signs of judicial prejudice.”
Jung has no criminal history. Nonetheless, St. Clair said that he is concerned that Jung may have a South Korean passport and be a flight risk. During the investigation prior to his arrest, Jung reportedly asked whether he was allowed to leave the United States. He also put his house in Camas up for sale, St. Clair said. Jung lives at the home with his wife and son, according to court records. Jung also goes by the name of Dr. Eric Jung, according to court records.
“He does have the resources to flee the jurisdiction…,” St. Clair said.
Jung said he is a U.S. citizen and had to give up his South Korean passport because South Korea doesn’t allow dual citizenship.
The country’s Constitutional Court affirmed last July that the ban on dual citizenship by South Koreans is constitutional, according to a report by The Korea Herald.
Clark said Jung would need to hire his own attorney because his income makes him ineligible for court-appointed counsel.
