8 Chinese Students at Yonsei University Who Damaged 'Support Hong Kong' Banner Last Year Summarily Indicted

The 'Hong Kong Liberation' banner installed at Yonsei University being removed without permission on the night of October 24 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Chinese international students who damaged banners supporting the Hong Kong democracy movement hung on the Yonsei University campus last year have been summarily indicted.

The Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Jong-ho) announced on the 26th that eight Chinese nationals in their 20s, international students at Yonsei University, were summarily indicted with fines on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (joint property damage, etc.).

They are accused of unlawfully removing six banners supporting the Hong Kong protests installed by 'Korean Yonsei University Students Supporting Hong Kong' on the Yonsei University campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, between October and November last year.

'Korean Yonsei University Students Supporting Hong Kong' hung four English banners supporting the Hong Kong protests on the campus on the afternoon of October 24 last year, but they were removed by Chinese international students in less than 24 hours. After reinstalling the banners twice in November, they filed a complaint with the police as the banners continued to be damaged.

Summary indictment is a procedure in which the court is requested to impose a fine or penalty by written examination instead of a formal trial. The judge may issue a summary order as requested by the prosecution or refer the case to a formal trial ex officio.

A prosecution official stated, "The decision was made considering the sentencing levels in similar past banner damage cases," and added, "The resolution of the Prosecutors' Citizen Committee, which recommended summary indictment, was also actively reflected."