A lawyer accused of assaulting a reporter who wrote a critical article about the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the second trial.
On the 23rd, the 4-1 Criminal Appeals Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Yang Ji-jeong, Eom Cheol, Lee Hun-jae) overturned the original sentence that sentenced lawyer A, who was indicted without detention on charges including special injury and intimidation, to one year in prison, and instead sentenced him to one year in prison with a two-year suspension. The court also ordered 160 hours of community service.
The court stated, "The defendant committed crimes such as threatening the victim because the victim wrote a critical article that differed from his own views, causing injury by throwing a wine glass, and damaging property, which shows a bad nature of the crime," and added, "He made implausible excuses and has not yet been forgiven by the victim."
However, the court explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "At this appeal stage, he admitted to the crime and showed remorse, made efforts to compensate the victim by depositing 30 million won, and considering that the incident appears to have occurred somewhat impulsively due to political disagreements during a drinking party, and that he is a first-time offender with no prior criminal record."
In November 2021, lawyer A was brought to trial on charges of causing injury by throwing a wine glass while drinking with daily newspaper reporter B at a wine bar in Seocho-dong. He is also accused of threatening B by saying, "I will tell the company and have you fired."
It was reported that A raised his voice and assaulted B because he took issue with B's critical articles about Gong-su-cheo. B reportedly sustained injuries requiring two weeks of medical treatment due to the assault.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
