Charges Including Threats and Obstruction of Official Duties
The prosecution has requested a three-year prison sentence for a man in his 30s who posted a message predicting a knife rampage at Seoul Station.
On the 24th, the prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence for Bae, a man in his 30s, who was indicted on charges including threats and obstruction of official duties, at a trial presided over by Chief Judge Park Seok-geun of the Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Northern District Court.
According to the prosecution, Bae is accused of posting a message on an online community on May 22 stating, "I will carry out a knife rampage at Seoul Station on the 24th." He is also accused of obstructing police work by causing police officers to be dispatched to the Seoul Station area on the 24th of the same month.
The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence request, saying, "He posted a message predicting murder, causing anxiety and inducing unnecessary waste of police manpower. Although he voluntarily reported himself just before the emergency arrest, he did not provide his personal information, causing a waste of investigative resources."
Bae is reported to have stated that he posted the message because he was angry that his mother and father were going to send him to a psychiatric hospital and wanted to imitate the murder prediction post.
On the day, Bae’s defense attorney stated, "The defendant admits all the charges," but argued, "The defendant is a severe mental illness patient who has suffered from schizophrenia and anger control disorder for over 10 years and was discharged from a psychiatric hospital a few days before this incident."
He added, "The defendant impulsively could not control intense emotions while discontinuing psychiatric medication for 10 days, and he deeply regrets this." However, he said, "The request for a psychiatric evaluation is withdrawn, and this is not a claim of diminished responsibility but a request for consideration during sentencing."
In his final statement, Bae appealed, "I am sorry and sincerely repent for my wrongdoing. I will live a life of reflection from now on."
Meanwhile, the sentencing date for Bae is scheduled for August 23.
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