Prosecution Seeks 2-Year Prison Sentence for Park Sang-hak, Representative Accused of Assaulting Reporters

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for Park Sang-hak, head of the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, who was brought to trial on charges including assaulting reporters.

On the 15th, the prosecution demanded a two-year prison term at the sentencing hearing presided over by Judge Shim Tae-gyu of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 1.

On June 23 of last year, around 9 p.m., Park was charged with assaulting the SBS TV 'Morning Wide' reporters who attempted to cover a story at his residence in Songpa-gu by throwing bricks and spraying a gas gun at police officers who tried to intervene.

In his final statement, Park said, "I apologize for assaulting the SBS reporters and regret spraying the gas gun due to a misunderstanding of the police," but added, "I find it difficult to accept the prosecution's demand for a two-year prison sentence."

Earlier, Park's side claimed, "This was a case of justifiable self-defense that occurred while protesting the reporters' trespassing and illegal coverage amid escalating death threats following Kim Yo-jong, the Workers' Party deputy director's statement on leaflets sent to North Korea."

Regarding the charge of spraying the gas gun at police officers, he stated, "I did not aim at the police but fired three times into the air as a form of protest," and added, "I was under personal protection at the time, but I intended to reprimand the police for neglecting their duties, which allowed the reporters to come to my home."

Park is also under investigation for illegally distributing leaflets to North Korea. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of the 12th of next month.

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