Jeon Du-hwan's '5·18 Trial' to Conclude on the 5th of Next Month... Verdict Expected Within the Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The sentencing trial of former President Jeon Du-hwan, who is on trial for defamation of the deceased regarding Father Jo Bio, who testified about the 'May 18 helicopter shooting,' will be held on October 5 at the Gwangju District Court.

According to the Gwangju District Court on the 23rd, the trial for Jeon's defamation of the deceased charge will be held on October 5 at 2 p.m. in Criminal Courtroom 201 at the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of Criminal Division 8.

On that day, one team leader-level investigator from the Ministry of National Defense's May 18 Special Investigation Committee, whom Jeon's defense counsel requested, will be summoned as a witness.

Final statements from the prosecutor and Jeon's defense counsel will also be made. After the final statements, the prosecution is expected to present its sentencing recommendation for Jeon.

The court plans to set the date for the verdict after concluding the trial. The trial, which has been ongoing for two and a half years since the indictment in May 2018, could see a first-instance verdict as early as the end of this year.

However, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the court has limited the audience seats to 15. Admission tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 1:10 p.m. on October 5 at the entrance of Courtroom 201 in the Gwangju Court Building. Entry will be restricted for those not wearing masks.

Meanwhile, Jeon was non-detained indicted for defamation of the deceased after describing Father Jo Bio, who testified in his 2017 memoir that he witnessed helicopter shootings during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, as a "Satan wearing a mask" and a "shameless liar." At the first trial session on March 11 last year, Jeon denied the helicopter shootings.