Prosecutors Appeal Suspended Sentence for Illegal Assembly of Minju No Chong Chairman

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The prosecution has appealed the first trial result of Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was arrested and indicted on charges of leading illegal assemblies and demonstrations but was released on probation.

On the 29th, the prosecution filed an appeal with the Criminal Division 9 of the Seoul Central District Court, dissatisfied with the first trial verdict against Chairman Yang.

Chairman Yang was arrested and brought to trial on charges of violating quarantine guidelines during several illegal demonstrations he led in downtown Seoul from May to July this year (violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, etc.).

The first trial court on the 25th sentenced him to one year in prison with a two-year probation and a fine of 3 million won. With the probation sentence, Chairman Yang, who was arrested on September 2, was released after 84 days in detention.

The prosecution had requested a prison sentence of one year and six months and a fine of 3 million won during the sentencing hearing.

The court explained the sentencing by stating, "The defendant did not dispute the facts and admitted responsibility, and was given a significant opportunity to deeply reflect on efforts to harmonize assemblies with compliance to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act during a considerable period of detention."