'Daejinyeon Member Given Probation for Breaking into US Ambassador's Residence... "Don't Do It Again"'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Four members of the University Progressive Union (Daejinyeon) were sentenced to suspended prison terms for charges of trespassing the US Ambassador's residence in South Korea in protest against the increase in the US-South Korea defense cost-sharing.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 18 (Presiding Judge Eunsang Yang) on the morning of the 29th sentenced Daejinyeon members including Kim Yujin, who were tried for obstruction of business and trespassing, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension. The court also ordered each of them to perform 120 and 200 hours of community service.

The court stated, "Considering the circumstances and means of the crime recognized by the evidence in this case, the defendants' acts of obstructing business cannot be regarded as unjust infringement or self-defense," and "All defendants are found guilty."

However, the court added, "Considering that the victims do not wish to punish the defendants and acquaintances have petitioned for leniency," and urged, "Do not repeat acts such as trespassing the ambassador's residence."

Kim and others were indicted last October for allegedly using a ladder to climb over the wall of the US Ambassador's residence in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, and entering the yard.

The police arrested 17 people who unlawfully entered the ambassador's residence and 2 who attempted to trespass at the time, detaining Kim and three others among them. The detained individuals were sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

In a previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested prison terms of around two years each for Kim and the other three defendants.

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