'Gyeongbokgung Damjang Nakseo Saju' Team Leader Lee Sentenced to 7 Years in First Trial

Kang Mo (30), the so-called 'Team Leader Lee' who was prosecuted for instigating teenage students to graffiti the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace, was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

Seoul Central District Court. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the 12th, the Criminal Division 26 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) sentenced Kang, who was detained and prosecuted on charges including violation of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, to 7 years in prison. Additionally, Kang was ordered to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence program, face a 5-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, and pay a fine of approximately 210 million won.

The court sentenced high school student Lim Mo (17), who was charged without detention for illegally graffitiing the names of illegal sharing sites with paint on the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency after receiving 100,000 won from Kang, to 2 years in prison with an additional 1 year and 6 months of probation, and ordered his immediate detention. Furthermore, Kim Mo (16), who accompanied Lim to the crime scene and reported to media outlets to maximize publicity, and Jo Mo, who was accused of assisting Kang in operating illegal obscene material sites, were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 2 years probation, and 6 months in prison with 1 year probation, respectively.

The court first criticized Kang, stating, "He defiled the symbolic cultural heritage of Gyeongbokgung Palace, causing social shock, and crimes imitating the defendant’s acts occurred the following day." It continued, "Although considerable budget and manpower were invested in restoration, complete recovery is impossible, and the defendant has not compensated for over 130 million won in restoration costs," adding, "Given that the crime was committed to generate criminal profits, the motive and behavior are highly blameworthy."

Regarding Lim, the court said, "Although young, he could understand the meaning and value of cultural heritage," and "Nevertheless, he committed a very shocking crime by spray-painting the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."

Kang was detained and prosecuted in June for directing Lim and others he met on Telegram to commit the crimes last December. Kang also faces charges including violation of the Copyright Act, the Youth Protection Act, and the Information and Communications Network Act for operating an illegal video sharing site and earning approximately 250 million won in profits.