50s Man Arrested for 'Retaliatory Crime' After Visiting and Threatening Post-Release

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] A man in his 50s who was sentenced to prison for harassing a restaurant owner at a traditional market in Gwangju was arrested again after threatening the owner upon his release.

On the 8th, Gwangju Dongbu Police Station announced that an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. A, who is accused of threatening the restaurant owner who reported him to the police (retaliatory threat under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes).

Mr. A is suspected of obstructing business and threatening the owner, Mr. B, at a restaurant in a traditional market in Dong-gu, Gwangju, around 9 a.m. the previous day.

Last September, Mr. A was found guilty of retaliatory assault and obstruction of business for repeatedly causing trouble to the restaurant owner at the same traditional market and served one year in prison.

Immediately after his release the day before, he returned to Mr. B’s restaurant, drank alcohol, and caused a disturbance, saying, "I was sentenced to prison because of you."

Mr. B reported the incident to the police, and Mr. A was arrested on the spot as a suspect caught in the act.

Earlier, in October, as Mr. A’s release approached, the police provided Mr. B with a smartwatch to prevent recidivism and protect the victim’s safety.