'Finger Gesture Insult' Sookmyung Girls' High School Twins' Lawyer: "We Plan to Make It Understandable Why They Did It"

Twin sisters attending the first trial of the appeal. The younger sister following behind made a 'finger gesture'. Photo by YTN Broadcast Screen Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Controversy has erupted after twin sisters from Sookmyung Girls' High School, accused of taking exams using leaked answers provided by their father, the school's head of academic affairs, made an obscene gesture with their middle fingers in response to questions from reporters while attending the first appeal trial. In this context, the twins' lawyer stated, "We plan to make people understand why they acted that way by the time this trial concludes."

On the 14th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 5-3 (Presiding Judges Lee Gwan-hyung, Choi Byung-ryul, and Won Jeong-sook) held the first appeal hearing for the twins, Hyunmo sisters, who were each sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation in the first trial on charges of obstruction of business.

The prosecution explained the reason for the appeal, saying, "Despite serious and clear evidence, the twin sisters deny the charges, show no remorse, and have not improved, which reflects poorly on their character. We believe the first trial's sentence was too lenient and appealed on the grounds of inappropriate sentencing."

Among the twins who appeared that day, the younger sister, who was following her older sister, responded sharply to reporters' question, "You came out for the first appeal trial today," by saying, "No, I didn't."

When a reporter asked, "Do you still deny the charges?" the younger sister turned to the reporter and raised her middle finger.

After the trial, when reporters asked if it was true that she had raised her middle finger earlier, she retorted, "Can you call it professionalism to suddenly rush at someone and ask rudely? It was an impolite and uncultured act."

Her twin older sister said, "I don't know exactly what happened behind, but to someone who was just standing still," adding, "If they wanted to resolve the situation, they should have come directly."

A post by Yang Hong-seok, the lawyer representing the twins, regarding the controversial 'finger gesture' during his attendance at the first appeal trial. Photo by Yang Hong-seok

On the 15th, Yang Hong-seok, the twins' lawyer from the law firm Igong, posted on his Facebook, saying, "It seems there was a mishap during the process of attending court," and added, "As their lawyer, I apologize to the reporters who asked questions during coverage."

He continued, "I hope you understand that the gesture was not directed at any individual reporter," and added, "As their lawyer, I personally hope to make people understand why they acted that way by the time this trial concludes."

He further said, "Those who know me know that I do not rashly declare innocence," but added, "Nevertheless, I believe this case should result in acquittal. If it is ruled guilty, I fear that the criminal justice system of the Republic of Korea is being shaken at its roots."

Yang also claimed, "This Sookmyung Girls' High School twins case combined several prejudices, serious errors, and minor misunderstandings, which ultimately led to unfounded speculation and assumptions contrary to the facts."

He added, "I cannot guarantee that we will achieve the intended outcome, but with faith in our criminal justice system, I will do my best hoping that the truth will reveal itself."

He explained, "If they are innocent, I believe you will understand the incident that happened today."

The twin sisters were prosecuted for obstructing the school's operations by receiving exam papers and answer sheets in advance from their father, Hyunmo, who was the head of academic affairs at Sookmyung Girls' High School, from the second semester of 2017 to the first semester of 2019 while they were students there.

The first trial stated, "Although there are cases where female students of similar age have shown rapid grade improvement within a year, it is difficult to consider it a common occurrence," and sentenced each to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation, calling it "a very exceptional case even compared to other unusual cases."

Hyun, the father accused of leaking exam papers and answers, had his 3-year prison sentence confirmed in the Supreme Court hearing held last March.