Representative of Daejin-yeon, identified as behind 'US Ambassador's Residence Trespassing,' appears for police summons investigation

Published 10 Jan.2020 14:46(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] Kim Mo (31), co-representative of the Korean University Students Progressive Union (Daejinyeon), which was identified as the force behind the 'wall-climbing protest' at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Korea, appeared before the police on the 10th.

Seoul Namdaemun Police Station announced that on the afternoon of the same day, they summoned Representative Kim to investigate the facts related to violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Assembly Act) and trespassing on shared residences.

Upon appearing before the police, Representative Kim claimed, "The police are conducting a 'forced fit' investigation and an unreasonable targeted investigation," and stated, "Climbing over the wall of the U.S. Ambassador's residence was a righteous struggle to directly convey the voices of the people to the United States."

Members of Daejinyeon climbed over the wall of the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, using a ladder at around 2:50 p.m. on October 18 last year, and entered the yard, shouting "We oppose the increase in defense cost-sharing."

During this process, 17 people who unlawfully entered the ambassador's residence and 2 who attempted to trespass were arrested by the police. Among them, 4 were detained and are currently on trial.

The police stated that although Representative Kim did not directly participate in the protest, they identified circumstances indicating that he planned and directed the wall-climbing and have booked him accordingly.

According to the police, Representative Kim is known to have made about 200 phone calls with 7 group members, including the 4 detained before and after the incident, and was involved in purchasing some protest supplies.