Prosecutors Demand 1 Year and 6 Months for Lee Geun's Illegal Participation in Ukraine War

The prosecution has requested a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months for former Captain Lee Geun (39), who was prosecuted for illegally entering Ukraine.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 17th, the prosecution made this request to the court during the sentencing hearing for Lee's violations of the Passport Act and the Special Act on Punishment of Hit-and-Run Crimes, presided over by Judge Jeong Jae-yong of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21.

The prosecution explained, "Lee knowingly traveled to Ukraine, a country subject to visitation and stay bans, bringing acquaintances with him, and even after arrival, he criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' measures through social networking services (SNS), indicating the gravity of his offense."

Regarding the hit-and-run charge under the Special Act, the prosecution added, "Despite clear evidence proving the charge, he denies the crime, and considering the severity of the victim's injuries, we ask the court to take this into account."

Lee stated, "I sincerely apologize for violating the Passport Act," but also requested, "Please consider that I went to Ukraine with acquaintances to save lives."

Lee departed for Ukraine in March last year, shortly after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, and joined the foreign unit 'Territorial Defense International Brigade.' After being injured, he returned to Korea in May of the same year for treatment and voluntarily appeared before the police.

Additionally, Lee faces charges of hit-and-run under the Special Act for leaving the scene without providing aid after a motorcycle accident while driving in Seoul last July. Lee's defense attorney argued, "There was no intent to flee, and even if the victim was injured, it is difficult to attribute responsibility to Lee," requesting a verdict of not guilty.

Meanwhile, on March 20 of this year, Lee got into an altercation with YouTuber Lee Jun-hee (stage name Guje-yeok), who had come to attend the first hearing of this case, and struck him once in the hallway outside the courtroom. The police sent Lee to the prosecution on assault charges on the 22nd of last month.