'Kim Jin-tae Resignation' Occupation Disturbance Progressive Group Member Fined in Appeal Trial

Court, "Lack of Reasonableness in Means or Methods" Guilty Verdict

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] In the appeal trial of university student members belonging to a progressive organization who were indicted for causing a disturbance by occupying the party office over former Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Kim Jin-tae's remarks related to '5·18', fines were again imposed.

The Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Kim Dae-sung) announced on the 20th, "Defendants A (41, female) and B (24), who were indicted for refusal to leave and obstruction of business, were each sentenced to fines of 3 million won and 2 million won, respectively, the same as in the first trial."

The appellate court stated in the judgment, "It is recognized that the defendants refused to leave when requested and intentionally obstructed business by force."

It also dismissed both parties' appeals, stating, "There have been no significant changes in circumstances to consider in sentencing since the original judgment, and it is difficult to see the original sentence as exceeding a reasonable range."

Earlier, the first trial court found the defendants guilty, stating, "The means and methods lacked appropriateness, and the urgency requirement was not met."

However, the defendants appealed the first trial verdict, claiming "the sentence is heavy," while the prosecution appealed, arguing "the sentence is light."

Meanwhile, on April 25 of last year, Defendant A and others entered the Chuncheon City Korean Party Gangwon Province Office and hung a banner on the window with phrases such as "Dissolve the pro-Japanese traitorous corrupt Liberty Korea Party," shouting slogans like "Dissolve the Liberty Korea Party, Kim Jin-tae resign," causing a disturbance.

They also refused to leave when requested by Korean Party officials and resisted the police officers who arrived after a report and requested them to leave, eventually being arrested on the spot by the police.

Defendant A and others argued in court that "this was a political expression without violent acts and falls under legitimate party activities."

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