Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (left) and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong of Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first trial sentencing hearing for Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung of the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, who is accused of assaulting Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon during a search and seizure operation, will be held.
According to the court on the 12th, at 2 p.m. that day, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han) will conduct the sentencing hearing for Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, who was indicted on charges of violating the Special Act on Aggravated Punishment (abuse of official authority resulting in assault).
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong was brought to trial on charges of abusing his official authority to assault Prosecutor Han during the seizure of a mobile phone SIM card in July last year as part of the investigation into the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations. Abuse of official authority resulting in assault refers to prosecutors or police officers abusing their power during investigations to arrest or assault suspects or commit acts of cruelty.
At the previous closing argument hearing, the prosecution requested the court to sentence the defendant to one year in prison, stating, "The defendant, who should protect human rights and due process as a prosecutor, assaulted the investigation target and caused injury during the execution of the search warrant." They also emphasized, "So far, the defendant has only claimed the justification of his actions, has not apologized to the victim, and has made no effort to restore the damage."
On the other hand, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong's defense argued for acquittal, claiming that he was trying to prevent Prosecutor Han from attempting to destroy evidence and that no assault occurred. In his final statement, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong said, "Like other prosecutors, I take pride in acting fairly according to law and principles," and added, "I never intended to assault (Prosecutor Han), nor did I have any reason to do so."
In a video played during the previous trial, immediately after the incident, Prosecutor Han is heard shouting, "Didn't you show (the mobile phone)?" to which Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong responds, "I asked to check it, but it was not given. What if you open it and manipulate it?" When Prosecutor Han claimed, "Didn't you say you would call your lawyer? To call, you have to unlock (the screen with your hand)," Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong pointed out, "You usually use Face ID (facial recognition lock), don't you?"
Meanwhile, regarding the prosecutor-media collusion allegations, former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, who was indicted on charges of attempted coercion, was acquitted in the first trial on the 16th of last month. Reporter Lee was accused of threatening former VIK (Value Invest Korea) CEO Lee Cheol to "report corruption allegations against Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation." Prosecutor Han was suspected of conspiring in this but was not indicted.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
