Jeon Du-hwan to Appear Again in Gwangju Court Today After One Year... New Judge and First Attendance

On March 11 last year, former President Jeon Du-hwan was leaving his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul to appear in court. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Former President Jeon Du-hwan (89), who is on trial for defaming the late Father Jo Bi-o's honor in his memoir, will attend the trial held at the Gwangju District Court on the 27th. It will be his first appearance in court in one year since March 11 of last year.

According to the Gwangju District Court, the trial of former President Jeon will be held at 2 p.m. on the same day in Criminal Courtroom 201 of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of Criminal Division 8.

Former President Jeon was prosecuted in 2018 on charges of defamation of the deceased (defamation of the deceased) for referring to Father Jo, who testified that he witnessed helicopter shootings during the May 18 Democratic Movement in his 2017 memoir "Era of Chaos," as a "shameless liar unworthy of being called a clergyman."

Former President Jeon appeared once in court on March 11 last year with his wife Lee Soon-ja but did not attend subsequent trials after receiving permission for non-attendance due to health reasons.

However, criticism arose when footage of him playing golf at a golf course was released to the media at the end of last year.

In January this year, the presiding judge resigned citing a run for the general election, and the judge was replaced. On the 6th, permission for non-attendance was revoked.

At the trial to be held on this day, the renewal of trial procedures due to the change of the presiding judge and an identification examination to confirm the defendant's identity are expected to take place. It is known that his wife Lee will appear in court as a trusted person.

Even if a criminal defendant has received permission from the court for non-attendance, they are obligated to attend the first trial date where the identification examination to confirm the defendant's identity is conducted and the sentencing date.

The number of spectators allowed in the courtroom on this day is limited to a total of 71 seats.

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