By Bahk Eun-ji

A female teacher who had sex with a young male student has been sentenced to five years' prison and ordered to undergo 80 hours of treatment for sexual offenders.

According to Changwon District Court, the teacher, 32, had sex with the boy, 12, nine times in the classroom and her car between June and early August.

Police said the teacher claimed it was consensual. But having sex with a person under 13 is illegal.

She was dismissed from the school in September and banned from teaching.

The boy's parents found text messages from the teacher and told police at the end of August. Police discovered messages from the teacher saying, "I love you," and "I'll buy you dumplings, come outside."

The court said the teacher should understand that what she did was rape even if she claimed it was by consent. It said primary school students under 13 can never be the object of physical pleasure.

However, the court considered the teacher's admission and that she deeply regretted her actions when deciding its sentence.