"MZ Jayougyolsadae" Leader Who Broke Courthouse Window During Western District Court Riot Gets Suspended Sentence in First Trial

The leader of the "MZ Jayougyolsadae," who broke the courthouse window during the Western District Court riot, has received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. MZ Jayougyolsadae is a KakaoTalk open chatroom formed by young people who opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The court signboard was damaged due to a riot at the Western District Court. Yonhap News

On July 2, Park Jiweon, the chief judge of Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Western District Court, sentenced Lee (age 37), who was tried on charges including special destruction of public property, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension of execution.

Judge Park stated, "The defendant has denied all charges and has not shown any remorse. The crime was committed out of hatred toward the court's official duties." However, the judge also noted, "The extent of the damage was minor, it was not confirmed that the defendant was involved in any other criminal acts as the leader of MZ Jayougyolsadae, and there was no intrusion into the court or violence against others."

Lee was indicted on charges of throwing a plastic bottle and breaking a window at the court's external building during the Western District Court riot.