Two Sentenced to Prison in First Trial for Assaulting Press and Scaling Wall in 'Seoul Western District Court Riot'

Two Individuals Receive Suspended Sentences for Assaulting Police Officers

Two individuals who assaulted members of the press or scaled the court's perimeter wall during the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for former President Yoon Suk-yeol have been sentenced to prison terms. Two others who assaulted police officers received suspended sentences.

On May 16, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Woo-hyun) sentenced Mr. Woo, indicted on charges of causing bodily injury, and Mr. Ahn, indicted on charges of trespassing, to 10 months in prison each. Mr. Lee and Mr. Nam, indicted on charges including obstruction of official duties, were each sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence, and one year and six months in prison with a three-year suspended sentence, respectively.

Mr. Woo was indicted for striking an MBC reporter with a backpack and causing injury near the Seoul Western District Court on January 18, when the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for former President Yoon was held. Mr. Ahn was charged with crossing over a restricted metal fence at the court. Mr. Lee and Mr. Nam were charged with using violence against police officers who were attempting to move demonstrators 100 meters away from the court on the same day.

Previously, prosecutors had sought one year and six months in prison for Mr. Woo, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Nam, and one year in prison for Mr. Ahn.

The court stated, "It is unacceptable to commit indiscriminate violence against others solely because they work for a media outlet with different political views. Likewise, it is unacceptable to attack the outcome of a verdict rendered under constitutional authority by illegal means simply because it differs from one’s own opinion." The court added, "Holding a rally within 100 meters of a prohibited area and punching a police officer constitutes a serious crime that undermines the functions of the state." However, the court noted, "In the cases of Mr. Lee and Mr. Nam, considering that the degree of violence was not severe, suspended sentences are being imposed."

Meanwhile, there are 96 defendants on trial in connection with the riot at the Seoul Western District Court. On May 14, Judge Kim Jin-sung of the 6th Criminal Division of the same court sentenced Mr. Kim and Mr. So to one year and six months, and one year in prison, respectively, on charges including special trespassing. These were the first court verdicts issued about four months after the violent intrusion incident at the Seoul Western District Court.

Further verdicts for the remaining defendants are expected to follow soon. On May 28, verdicts will be delivered for one individual who assaulted a broadcast video journalist and another who trespassed into the court premises.