'Assault on Reporters' CEO Park Sang-hak Reacts to Prison Sentence Demand, Saying "Hard to Accept"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "It is hard to accept the prosecution's demand for a 2-year prison sentence."

Park Sang-hak, head of the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, who was brought to trial on charges including assaulting reporters who visited his home, made this final statement regarding the prosecution's demand. Park's lawyer also claimed self-defense and argued for a not guilty verdict.

According to the legal community on the 18th, the prosecution demanded a 2-year prison sentence at the sentencing hearing held on the 15th at the Seoul Eastern District Court, presided over by Judge Shim Tae-gyu of Criminal Division 1, for Park's charges of special injury and obstruction of official duties.

Park was indicted for assaulting the SBS TV 'Morning Wide' reporters who attempted to cover a story at his home in Songpa-gu around 9 p.m. on June 23 last year, including throwing bricks and spraying a gas gun at police officers.

Park's lawyer stated, "In a situation where threats of assassination were escalating following Kim Yo-jong, the Workers' Party deputy director's statement on leaflets sent to North Korea, this was a case of self-defense in protest against the reporters' illegal intrusion into a shared residence and unlawful coverage," adding, "Even if the response was excessive, a not guilty verdict should be rendered."

Regarding the charge of spraying a gas gun at the bodyguard police officers, leniency was requested. Park's lawyer argued, "There was a reasonable suspicion that the police disclosed the defendant's residence and the password to the shared entrance to the reporters, and the spraying was intended to reprimand this," asking the court to "consider all circumstances thoroughly."

Park stated, "I apologize for assaulting the SBS reporters and regret spraying the gas gun due to misunderstanding the police," but made a final statement indicating he could not accept the prosecution's demand.

Since the first trial session held in January, Park's side has denied the charges, claiming self-defense. They argued, "There was illegal coverage and trespassing by the SBS reporters," and "It was self-defense in response to that, so we claim not guilty."

They also partially denied the charge of spraying the gas gun at police officers, stating, "I fired three times into the air with no intent to assault," and "At the time, I was under personal protection, but I intended to reprimand the police for neglecting their duty, which allowed the reporters to come to my home."

Park's sentencing hearing is scheduled for the 12th of next month.

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