Last year, a man in his 30s who caused a disturbance by threatening police officers with a weapon in a residential area of Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, received a suspended prison sentence, prompting the prosecution to file an appeal.
On the 4th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office submitted an appeal to the Seoul Western District Court, seeking a harsher sentence after Jeong Mo (38), who was indicted on charges of obstructing official duties with a weapon, was sentenced to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension in the first trial.
The prosecution stated, "Considering that about 40 police officers were dispatched due to Jeong's actions and that he wielded two large knives, the nature of the crime is extremely serious," adding, "We will make every effort to maintain the prosecution in the appeal trial to ensure that a sentence commensurate with the crime is imposed."
Jeong is accused of causing a disturbance while holding weapons in both hands in a residential area of Galhyeon-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, on August 26 last year. At the time, Jeong confronted the police while holding two weapons, and one of them was used in a threatening manner to self-harm. After a standoff lasting about 2 hours and 40 minutes, the police deployed a special task force to arrest Jeong.
It was understood that Jeong demanded about 3 million won from his mother to repay his credit card debt, but became angry and caused a suicide disturbance after his mother said she had used the money for a shamanistic ritual, which led to his violent actions.
On the 29th of last month, the first trial court sentenced Jeong to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, stating, "Jeong must be held responsible for obstructing the police officers' official duties with the knives he possessed." At that time, the prosecution had sought a 2-year prison sentence for Jeong.
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