Court Sentences Jeon Du-hwan to 8 Months Imprisonment and 2 Years Probation for Defaming the Late President (Update)

Former President Jeon Du-hwan and his wife Lee Soon-ja are leaving their home in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to attend the first trial sentencing for defamation of the deceased at the Gwangju District Court on the 30th. Former President Jeon was charged with defamation for criticizing Father Cho Bi-o, who testified to witnessing helicopter gunfire during the May 18 incident, in his autobiography as "a shameless liar unworthy of being called a priest." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The court has sentenced former President Jeon Du-hwan to guilty on charges of defaming the late Father Jo Bi-o, who testified about the helicopter gunfire by martial law troops during the May 18 Democratic Movement.

On the 30th, Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 8 sentenced Jeon, who was indicted for defamation of the deceased, to 8 months in prison with a 2-year probation.

Jeon was indicted without detention on charges of defamation of the deceased for describing Father Jo Bi-o, who testified to witnessing helicopter gunfire during the May 18 Democratic Movement in his memoir published in April 2017, as a "Satan wearing a mask" and a "shameless liar."

In March of last year, Jeon appeared at the first trial date and denied the helicopter gunfire. After the change of the presiding judge, Jeon appeared again and continued the same claim, saying, "As far as I know, there was no gunfire from helicopters at that time." He also asserted in court last April, "As far as I know, there was no gunfire from helicopters at that time," and his defense attorney argued that the prosecution failed to find direct evidence, thus the charges could not be established.

However, on this day, the presiding judge acknowledged the military's helicopter gunfire against its own citizens during the May 18 Democratic Movement. In particular, the judge expressed hope that the defendant, who bears the greatest responsibility for May 18, sincerely apologize to the many citizens who have suffered.