[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A man in his 30s who was charged with assaulting a public official after his request to open a passageway was denied has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.
The Ulsan District Court Criminal Division 9 (Judge Jeong Je-min) announced on the 22nd that it sentenced Mr. A, who was charged with obstruction of official duties and injury, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.
Mr. A was charged with grabbing the collar of public official Mr. B at Yangsan City Hall, Gyeongnam, in July last year, throwing him down, and assaulting him by pressing on his neck and chest. Mr. B sustained injuries requiring two weeks of medical treatment.
Mr. A filed a complaint with Yangsan City requesting the opening of a passageway next to the pharmacy he operates, but when it was not accepted, he went to the city hall and caused a disturbance. Later, while talking outside with Mr. B, the public official in charge, he assaulted him.
The court stated the sentencing rationale, saying, "To eradicate the trend of disregarding public authority, it is necessary to strictly punish acts of assaulting public officials performing their duties. However, consideration was given to the fact that there is no prior criminal record."
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