'Violation of National Security Law' Cheonghak Yeondae Executives, Probation Confirmed

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Former executives of the 6·15 Joint Declaration Practice Youth Student Solidarity (Cheonghak Yeondae), who were prosecuted on charges of pro-North Korea activities, have been confirmed guilty.

On the 20th, the Supreme Court's 1st Division (Presiding Justice Lee Gitaek) announced that it upheld the lower court's guilty verdict in the appeal trial of four former Cheonghak Yeondae executives, including Mr. A, who was charged with violating the National Security Act (forming a pro-North Korea organization). Mr. A and Mr. B, former secretaries-general of Cheonghak Yeondae, were each sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 3 years probation, while Mr. C and Mr. D, representatives of member organizations of Cheonghak Yeondae, received confirmed sentences of 10 months imprisonment with 2 years probation and 6 months imprisonment with 2 years probation, respectively.

They were tried for holding representative meetings of Cheonghak Yeondae from 2006 to 2010, establishing business plans referencing North Korea's New Year's joint editorials, and giving lectures endorsing North Korea's nuclear tests. The prosecution defined Cheonghak Yeondae as a pro-Juche ideology organization formed under the leadership of Juche faction.

In the first trial, the court recognized their charges and sentenced Mr. A and Mr. B to 2 years imprisonment with 3 years probation each, Mr. C to 1 year imprisonment with 2 years probation, and Mr. D to 10 months imprisonment with 2 years probation.

The second trial acquitted some of the charges and reduced the sentences. Mr. A and the other three, as well as the prosecution, appealed, but the Supreme Court dismissed all appeals.

In June, the Supreme Court also upheld the lower court's verdict sentencing four former Cheonghak Yeondae standing representatives, including Mr. A, to suspended prison terms for violating the National Security Act.

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