'Participants in the "Kim Ki-chun Release Opposition Rally" Sentenced to Probation and Fines in First Trial'

Allegation of Vehicle Damage by Former Chief Secretary Kim

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Progressive group members who held an anti-release rally in front of the detention center and damaged former Presidential Secretary Kim Ki-chun's vehicle when he was released due to the expiration of his detention period were sentenced to suspended prison terms and fines in the first trial.

Judge Cho Guk-in of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 9 on the 17th sentenced Lee Jong-moon (51), Chairman of External Cooperation of the Korean Progressive Coalition, to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, and Han Gyu-hyeop (47), Chairman of the Gyeonggi Workers' Progressive Party, to 4 months in prison with a 2-year suspension on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. They were also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.

Judge Cho sentenced Kim Mo (33) and three others, who were prosecuted for damaging former Secretary Kim's vehicle, to a fine of 2 million won, and Park Mo (37) and four others, who blocked the vehicle's passage, to a fine of 500,000 won.

They were charged with holding an anti-release rally in front of the Seoul Eastern Detention Center in August 2018, when former Secretary Kim was released once due to the expiration of his detention period, blocking him from getting into the car and verbally abusing him.

Judge Cho explained, "The freedom of assembly and demonstration is an indispensable element for realizing democracy and must be guaranteed to the maximum extent, but only for peaceful assemblies and demonstrations," adding, "Many people can pose a risk to public order during collective actions in public places, and there is an obligation to participate in the assembly while complying with the order maintenance provisions of the Assembly Act."

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