A member of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was put on trial for assaulting a police officer during a rally in front of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's official residence, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.
On April 24, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Choi Jeongin) sentenced Lee (53), who was indicted and detained on charges of obstruction of official duties resulting in injury, to two years in prison, suspended for three years.
The court stated, "The defendant snatched a police radio at close range and threw it, so it can be clearly recognized that he was aware of the possibility that the radio could hit the officer's head. There is a high degree of culpability, as he committed this crime while already under investigation for a similar offense." However, the court also considered the following factors: Lee admitted to and reflected on his actions, the injured police officer did not wish to pursue punishment, and the crime was committed impulsively.
On January 4, Lee occupied a roadway and confronted police during a rally near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where he snatched a police radio and threw it, causing lacerations to a police officer's forehead and scalp.
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