Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentence Again in 2nd Trial for Lee Yong-gu in 'Taxi Driver Assault' Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution has requested a prison sentence again in the appellate trial for former Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu, who is accused of assaulting a taxi driver.

On the 17th, at the sentencing hearing held by the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Wonbeom, Han Gisu, Nam Woo-hyun), the prosecutor asked the court to "sentence the defendant to one year in prison, the same as the first trial's sentence."

The prosecutor pointed out, "The defendant committed the crime by disregarding the taxi driver responsible for safely taking him home, and despite being a lawyer who should pursue objective truth, he demanded the taxi driver delete the video and give false testimony," adding, "This crime undermines public trust in the criminal justice system."

Former Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu, who was indicted on charges of assaulting a taxi driver, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after receiving a two-year suspended sentence in the first trial on August 25 last year.

In his final statement, former Deputy Minister Lee said, "I am infinitely ashamed and sorry," and appealed, "I am reflecting deeply. Please allow me to live while repaying my debt."

The defense attorney argued, "The defendant has already faced harsh and severe social and personal criticism and condemnation for his wrongdoing," and added, "I dare say that punishment corresponding to the wrongdoing has effectively been carried out." Furthermore, he earnestly requested, "Please grant the defendant, as a current legal professional, an opportunity to serve society faithfully by fulfilling his role even a little." If a suspended sentence of imprisonment or higher is imposed, lawyer activities are prohibited for two years after the suspension period ends.

The court concluded the appellate trial proceedings and scheduled the verdict for March 9.

Earlier, former Deputy Minister Lee was prosecuted on charges of assault for grabbing and pushing the collar of a taxi driver who tried to wake him up while he was intoxicated near his home in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the night of November 6, 2020. He was also indicted for instructing evidence destruction by requesting the taxi driver to delete the black box video showing the assault inside the vehicle immediately after the incident.

The first trial sentenced him to six months in prison with a two-year suspension. All charges, including instructing evidence destruction, were found guilty.

The first trial court stated, "The defendant briefly stopped the taxi to check if they had arrived at the destination and assaulted the driver while intoxicated, which could have caused a traffic accident and posed a serious risk of harm to the life, body, or property of third parties, so the culpability is not light," adding, "Moreover, the defendant worsened the nature of the crime by instructing evidence destruction to avoid or reduce criminal punishment, thereby endangering the criminal justice process."