Prison sentences have been requested for a group who excavated natural stones from a valley in Hallasan for resale purposes.
Natural stones excavated by Mr. A and others near Hallasan National Park. Provided by Jeju Autonomous Police Agency and Yonhap News Agency
According to Yonhap News, on the 13th, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office requested a 4-year prison sentence for Mr. A, in his 70s, who was detained and indicted for violating the 'Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources,' and a 1 year and 6 months prison sentence for Mr. B, in his 50s, who was indicted without detention, at the sentencing hearing held by the Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Im Jaenam).
Mr. A and others are accused of using heavy equipment from the afternoon of July 21 last year until the early morning of the next day to excavate a natural stone about 1.5 meters high and weighing approximately 4 tons from a valley near Hallasan National Park. Mr. A first went to the crime scene, cut surrounding trees with an electric saw to secure a vehicle access path, then called Mr. B, and together they used equipment such as pulleys and ropes to excavate one natural stone for about 12 hours until the early morning of the next day.
However, while loading the excavated natural stone onto a truck for transport, they dropped it on a hiking trail about 150 meters away from the crime scene. They tried to load it back onto the truck, but as dawn approached and fearing detection, they fled leaving the natural stone behind.
Investigations revealed that they committed the crime to steal and resell the natural stone. It was also confirmed that they used forest paths without CCTV during nighttime to avoid the investigation network. In particular, Mr. A was found to have multiple prior convictions for similar crimes.
The spot where the natural stone excavated by Mr. A and others was embedded. Provided by Jeju Autonomous Police Agency and Yonhap News Agency
On this day, the defendants admitted all charges in court. Mr. A's lawyer appealed, saying, "The elderly defendant was living while taking care of his young granddaughter, and due to severe financial difficulties threatening his livelihood, he committed a wrongful act that should not have been done. Please consider that the natural stone has been restored to its original place and the damaged trees are planned to be recovered." Mr. B's lawyer said, "He participated in the crime at Mr. A's request. Please consider that he admitted his wrongdoing from the investigation stage and cooperated actively." The sentencing hearing for Mr. A and Mr. B is scheduled to be held around 10 a.m. on the 3rd of next month.
Meanwhile, Article 73 of the current Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources stipulates that anyone who steals forest products at night or using vehicles shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than ten years.
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