Detention Warrant Dismissed for North Korean Defector Who Threatened Police While Opposing Tent Removal

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The court dismissed the arrest warrant on the 16th for a North Korean defector accused of threatening a district office employee with a weapon while attempting to dismantle a tent in front of the Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun.

Myung Jae-kwon, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, dismissed the arrest warrant after conducting a pre-arrest interrogation (warrant substantive examination) of the 40-year-old North Korean defector Lee Mo, who was charged with obstruction of official duties.

Judge Myung stated the reason for dismissal, saying, "At this stage, it is difficult to recognize the grounds, necessity, and proportionality for detention."

Judge Myung explained that he considered the motive and circumstances leading to the crime, the content and circumstances before and after the execution of official duties, the collected evidence, and the health condition.

Lee is accused of resisting the dismantling of the tent in front of the Seoul Government Complex at around 2:40 p.m. on the 14th by pouring gasoline inside the tent and threatening police officers with a weapon. The group NamBukHamkke, to which Lee belongs, has been protesting since November last year against the government’s repatriation of two North Korean sailors back to North Korea.

Jongno District Office immediately dismantled the newly installed tent after the group added one more tent next to the existing one they had been using on the 14th.