‘Violent Rally in Front of the National Assembly’ Kim Myung-hwan, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Sentenced to 2 Years and 6 Months in Prison with 4 Years Probation (1st Report)

Democratic Labor Union Chairman Kim Myung-hwan held a general strike rally on the 18th in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, condemning the government while shouting slogans such as blocking labor reform, securing basic labor rights, abolishing irregular workers, reforming conglomerates, denouncing the abolition of the 10,000 won minimum wage, and crushing labor oppression. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Myung-hwan, the 54-year-old chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was indicted for leading an illegal rally in front of the National Assembly, was sentenced to probation in the first trial.

The Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11 (Chief Judge Lee Hwan-seung) on the 23rd sentenced Chairman Kim, who was indicted without detention on charges including obstruction of official duties by violence, injury caused by obstruction of official duties by violence, trespassing on jointly owned buildings, general traffic obstruction, and violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, to 2 years and 6 months in prison with 4 years of probation and ordered 160 hours of community service.

Chairman Kim is accused of leading illegal protests by union members, including assaulting police officers, at rallies opposing the expansion of flexible working hours held in front of the National Assembly in May 2018 and March last year.

The police applied for an arrest warrant for Chairman Kim in June last year, citing concerns about flight risk and evidence tampering, and the court issued the warrant. Subsequently, Chairman Kim requested a review of the detention, and the court decided to release him conditionally upon payment of a 100 million won bail, lifting his detention status.

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on the 3rd of last month, the prosecution demanded a 4-year prison sentence for Chairman Kim, stating, "While various opinions can be expressed under the principle of democracy, it must be done within the bounds of the law."

However, Chairman Kim's defense attorney denied the charges, stating, "There is no causal relationship or conspiracy regarding injury in the case of May 21, 2018, concerning the charges of obstruction of official duties by violence and injury caused by obstruction of official duties by violence," and added, "The prosecution's indictment contains no content about why the KCTU held the rally or what message they intended to convey."

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