Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Military Commander Accused of Perjury in Jeon Du-hwan Trial

Defense Claims 'Not Guilty'

Former Brigadier General Song Jin-won (right) attending the press conference on the policy to accuse Father Jo Bio in 1989. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Song Jin-won, former commander of the Army's 1st Aviation Brigade, who was indicted for perjury in the criminal trial of the late Jeon Du-hwan, was sentenced to imprisonment.

On the 26th, the prosecution requested a 10-month prison sentence for Song at the sentencing hearing of this case presided over by Judge Kim Doo-hee of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 9.

The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence request, saying, "Considering comprehensively the importance of the issue related to uncovering the truth of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the attitude of not showing remorse, the advanced age of 90, and the absence of prior criminal records."

The key issue in this case is whether Song intentionally committed perjury, which determines guilt or innocence.

In the final argument, the defense denied this, claiming innocence by stating, "It cannot be considered proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

The defense argued that Song testified differently from objective facts due to a "misunderstanding of the intent." They explained that when asked whether he had visited Gwangju during the Gwangju incident, he misunderstood the question as asking about "operational involvement" and answered "no."

They emphasized that the visit to Gwangju was merely to encourage troops and was not a "particularly memorable fact," listing various circumstances such as his age, health condition, and the long trial duration (about 2 hours and 30 minutes).

The defense argued that the crime of perjury, which applies when testimony contradicts memory, cannot be established.

The defense also stated, "As the prosecutor in charge of the investigation, there should have been many matters to confirm with the defendant to determine the intent of perjury," and argued, "It is a hasty conclusion to make a definitive judgment after only a phone call without direct investigation or commissioned investigation and without going through at least minimal confirmation procedures."

Song said, "I served as a soldier for 33 years, taking dedication and honesty to the country as my honor," and added, "It is truly heartbreaking to be indicted for perjury at the end of my life."

The sentencing hearing will be held in the afternoon of the 23rd.

Song was brought to trial on charges of false testimony for stating that he did not come to Gwangju during the May 18 incident when he appeared as a witness in the first trial for defamation of the deceased Jeon on November 11, 2019.

However, according to the '1980 Aviation Corps History,' he arrived in Gwangju on May 26, 1980, and returned to his unit on the 27th after the re-entry operation of the Jeonnam Provincial Office was completed.