Former Construction Union Chairman Sentenced to 1 Year and 6 Months in Prison for 'Mapo Bridge Occupation Protest'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The former chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions National Construction Workers' Union (Geonseolnojo), Jang Ok-gi, who was indicted for leading illegal rallies and demonstrations by occupying the Mapo Bridge in Seoul in 2017 to demand the passage of the Construction Workers Act, has been sentenced to prison.

The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Min Yoo-sook) announced on the 20th that it upheld the original sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment in the final appeal trial of former Chairman Jang, who was charged with violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act, obstructing general traffic, and obstructing special official duties.

The court stated, "There is no error in the lower court's judgment regarding the legal principles on the violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the injury caused by obstruction of special official duties."

Chairman Jang is accused of inciting participants during the 'General Strike Victory Resolution Rally' held in front of the National Assembly on November 28, 2017, to march via an unreported route.

Additionally, on that day, when access to the National Assembly was blocked, Chairman Jang staged a sit-in protest at the southern end of Mapo Bridge, causing about an hour of traffic congestion.

The first trial sentenced Chairman Jang to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment.

The second trial also upheld the first trial's ruling, stating, "The freedom of assembly and demonstration is a fundamental right of the people, but it does not permit the use of violence or other methods that go beyond the bounds of legal order."

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