Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentences for 10 Who Blocked CIH Vehicle During 'Western District Court Riot'

The prosecution has requested prison sentences for those involved in the Western District Court riot who blocked the vehicle of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIH) during the pre-arrest interrogation (warrant review) of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

During the riot at the Western District Court, police officers are setting up a fallen signboard at the back gate of the courthouse. Photo by Yonhap News

On June 23, during the sentencing hearing for Kim and nine others on charges including obstruction of official duties by special means and special confinement, held at the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Woo-hyun), the prosecution requested prison terms ranging from 1 year and 6 months to 2 years and 6 months.

According to the prosecution, on January 18, these individuals are accused of forming a human barricade around a vehicle carrying CIH prosecutors and investigators participating in the warrant review for former President Yoon, thereby obstructing its movement.

Most of the defendants appealed for leniency. Kim, who was requested to receive a 2-year and 6-month sentence, stated, "I regret having disrupted public order after becoming involved in the incident while intoxicated at the time," and added, "I will take care of my ailing wife and live diligently while performing community service."

There were also defendants who pleaded not guilty. Kim, who was requested to receive a 2-year sentence, said, "My actions stemmed from my conscience in opposition to election fraud, and I intend to live as an ordinary young person who loves South Korean democracy." He continued, "While I acknowledge forming a human barricade at the time, I did not assault or confine the prosecutors or investigators inside the vehicle, and therefore I plead not guilty."

Previously, on June 12, the court granted bail to eight out of the ten defendants.

The sentencing for these individuals is scheduled for August 1 at 10:30 a.m.