Prosecutors Appeal Suspended Sentence in 1st Trial of University Student Who Threatened Stabbing at Hanti Station

"Causing Severe Social Chaos"

The prosecution appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced university student Lee Mo (21), who falsely posted a 'Hanti Station stabbing threat' on the internet, to a suspended prison sentence.

On the 9th, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced that it is appealing the first trial verdict which sentenced Lee to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension and a community service order on charges of intimidation and obstruction of official duties by deception.

The prosecution explained the reason for the appeal, stating, "The defendant caused severe social confusion and anxiety by threatening another stabbing on the day of the Seohyeon Station stabbing incident. Ultimately, dozens of police officers were deployed to intensively patrol the Hanti Station area, significantly obstructing official duties. Considering these serious circumstances, we sought a one-year prison sentence, but the verdict did not meet this demand."

The prosecution added, "We will devote all efforts to the prosecution in the appellate trial to ensure that an appropriate sentence is imposed on the defendant."

Lee is accused of posting a message titled "Stabbing planned at Hanti Station at 10 p.m. tomorrow night" on an internet community at around 11 p.m. on August 3 last year from his home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The day Lee posted the message was the same day as the weapon rampage incident by Choi Won-jong at Seohyeon Station in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province.