Arrest Warrant Requested for North Korean Defector Who Threatened Police Officers While Opposing Tent Removal

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] A detention warrant has been requested for a member of a North Korean defector group who protested against public officials dismantling a tent in front of the government Seoul office.

On the 16th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul announced that the prosecution has requested a detention warrant for Mr. Lee, a man in his 40s and a member of the "Namguk Hamkke" (South and North Together) group, on charges of obstructing official duties.

Mr. Lee is accused of resisting the dismantling of the tent in front of the government Seoul office around 2:40 p.m. on the 14th by pouring gasoline inside the tent and threatening police officers with a weapon. Namguk Hamkke, the group to which Mr. Lee belongs, has been staging a sit-in protest since November last year against the government's decision to send two North Korean sailors back to the North.

Jongno District Office had installed one additional tent next to the two existing tents, and dismantled the newly installed tent. Mr. Lee's pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.