Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentence Again in Appeal Trial of Ravi for 'Military Service Corruption'

Napla Denies Charges of Obstructing Public Official Duties

In the appeal trial of rapper Ravi (30, real name Kim Won-sik), who received a suspended sentence in the first trial on charges of military service corruption, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Ravi to imprisonment. Rapper Nafla (31, real name Choi Nicholas Seok-bae), who was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial, denied the charges, arguing that it is difficult to see that he obstructed the duties of a public official belonging to the Military Manpower Administration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 31st, during the appeal trial for violations of the Military Service Act and other charges against Ravi, held at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Appeal Division 2-3 (Presiding Judges Kim Sung-won, Lee Won-shin, Kwon Oh-seok), the prosecution stated, "As a public figure, he attempted to evade military service in an organized and planned manner, which is a very serious offense," and requested, "Please sentence him to a punishment corresponding to the original sentence." The prosecution had requested a two-year prison sentence for Ravi at the first trial's sentencing hearing. Kim (38), who is co-CEO of the entertainment agency Groovelin along with Ravi, was also requested to receive the same two-year prison sentence as in the first trial.

Ravi's side requested the dismissal of the appeal, stating, "The defendant did not appeal the original sentence, and the reasons for appeal claimed by the prosecution were sufficiently reflected in the original trial." Ravi appealed, saying, "I apologize to those who were harmed by my foolish choices and am reflecting on it every day," and "I will reflect on my attitude in life and become a better person."

Ravi was prosecuted on charges of conspiring with broker Gu to falsely claim epilepsy and evade military service. Co-CEO Kim signed a contract to pay Gu a total of 50 million won in exchange for receiving the military service evasion scenario. They visited hospitals several times, deceived medical staff, obtained prescriptions for epilepsy-related medication, and issued medical certificates for military service, which were submitted to the Military Manpower Administration. Although Ravi did not appeal the first trial's sentence, the appeal trial proceeded after the prosecution filed an appeal.

Nafla, who was indicted together with Ravi and sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial, argued, "The sentence is excessively heavy," and claimed, "There was no act of deception against the public officials of the Military Manpower Administration, or it is difficult to see it as obstruction of official duties."

Nafla was indicted on charges of planning military service evasion with Kim and Gu through applications for unfitness for service or changes in military service disposition. Nafla deceived hospital doctors into believing his depression had worsened over about two years, obtained prescriptions without taking the medication, and issued false medical certificates for military service, attempting multiple times to be discharged from service and undergo re-examinations. Ravi filed an appeal against the first trial's sentence on August 16.