SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean court sentenced an American Army private to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for raping an 18-year-old South Korean woman, the most severe such ruling in almost 20 years.

The soldier, Pfc. Kevin Flippin, 21, who is attached to the Army’s Second Infantry Division, will have a week to appeal the sentence.

Private Flippin was accused of breaking into the woman’s residence in a low-budget motel on Sept. 24, repeatedly raping her and stealing 5,000 won, or $4.50. The American government had apologized to South Korea in connection with the case and swiftly handed over the soldier to South Korean authorities. Prosecutors demanded a sentence of 15 years in prison.

“While the defendant satisfied his sadistic and perverted sexual desire for three hours, the victim was forced to endure fear and shame at her own home, where she was entitled to have her peace,” said a ruling written by Park In-sik, the presiding justice at the district court in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul.