'Conspiracy for Gwangbokjeol Rally' Kim Kyung-jae and Kim Soo-yeol Detained... "Risk of Evidence Destruction, Necessity Recognized"

Former President Kim Kyung-jae of the Korea Freedom Federation, who is accused of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the Assembly and Demonstration Act in relation to the Liberation Day rally in downtown Seoul, is heading to the transport vehicle after completing the warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 28th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the 15th of last month, the court issued arrest warrants for former Korea Freedom Federation President Kim Kyung-jae and Ilpamanpa CEO Kim Soo-yeol, who are accused of organizing the 'Gwangbokjeol rally.'

On the 28th, Choi Chang-hoon, the arrest warrant judge at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for former President Kim and CEO Kim, who are accused of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act, and issued arrest warrants for them.

Judge Choi stated the reason for issuing the warrants, saying, "There is submitted evidence clarifying the objective and subjective elements of the criminal charges," and "Considering the content of communications exchanged between the suspects before and after the rally, there is a concern that evidence may be destroyed."

He added, "Considering the degree of violation of the suspects' compliance obligations, the resulting ripple effects, and the limits of freedom of assembly and demonstration, the necessity and appropriateness of detention are recognized."

The police applied for arrest warrants on the 23rd against former President Kim and CEO Kim on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. They are suspected of conspiring to hold the Gwangbokjeol rally.

The groups authorized to hold the Gwangbokjeol rally were Ilpamanpa in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop and the 4·15 National Struggle Headquarters against Election Fraud in the Euljiro area. However, after the rally began, many other groups that did not have rally permits joined the demonstration.