Unjust Trial Lasting Two Years Due to Police Bias
Failure to Interview Witnesses, Case Referred as 'Mutual Assault'
Fairness of Investigation Under Scrutiny... Immediate Oversight Needed
Pungdeok Urban Development Cooperative Case Deepens 'Public Distrust'
The assault case that occurred in the conference room of the Pungdeok Urban Development Cooperative in Suncheon has ended in a not-guilty verdict after two years. As the victim, who was unjustly accused as a defendant due to inadequate police investigation and coordinated false statements, was finally proven innocent in court, distrust in the fairness of police investigations is growing within the local community.
In February 2023, at the Pungdeok Urban Development Cooperative conference room in Suncheon, heated arguments broke out during a meeting, and some executives and representatives verbally abused and assaulted a representative, identified as Mr. Lee. While trying to avoid the situation, Mr. Lee had brief physical contact with the other party, which the police later regarded as 'evidence of assault.'
Immediately after the incident, Mr. Lee reported the assault to the Suncheon Station Police Box, but the officer in charge failed to properly conduct an on-site investigation or secure witness statements, instead categorizing the case as 'mutual assault.' According to Mr. Lee, when he protested, the officer responded, "I decide how to conduct the investigation," and even emphasized that the conversation was being recorded, displaying an intimidating attitude.
The prosecution, accepting the police's findings without further scrutiny, summarily indicted Mr. Lee and imposed a fine. However, Mr. Lee requested a formal trial.
The trial process was arduous. Members of the cooperative testified in court that Mr. Lee had instigated the assault, and several executives submitted a joint written statement, turning Mr. Lee into the perpetrator. Disappointed by the passive response of his court-appointed attorney, Mr. Lee eventually had to hire a new lawyer at his own expense.
After a lengthy legal battle, the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Court acquitted Mr. Lee on the 13th of last month. The prosecution did not appeal, and Mr. Lee’s innocence was ultimately confirmed. The court found the testimonies of the cooperative’s associates to be unreliable and ruled that objective evidence did not support the assault charges against Mr. Lee.
This case has become more than a matter of personal vindication; it has escalated into a broader issue of public trust in police investigations. The local community has repeatedly raised concerns that the Suncheon Police have shown a biased attitude in various cases related to the Pungdeok Urban Development Cooperative.
For two years, Mr. Lee had to give up his livelihood and endured not only defamation but also severe psychological distress. He expressed his frustration, saying, "If the investigation had been conducted properly from the beginning, this trial would never have even started."
Experts pointed out, "Inadequate and biased police investigations are not mere administrative errors but serious issues that can destroy citizens’ lives," adding, "Institutional improvements such as strengthening independent oversight and making witness interviews mandatory are necessary."
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