Jeon Du-hwan Departs Yeonhui-dong Residence Ahead of 'Defamation of Lion' Trial (Update)

Former President Jeon Du-hwan, who was convicted in the first trial on charges of defamation of the deceased related to the May 18 incident, is leaving his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th to attend the appeal trial held in Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon - Former President Jeon Du-hwan (90), who is on trial for defamation of the deceased regarding a witness to the 5.18 helicopter shooting, departed for Gwangju on the 9th to attend the appeal trial.

Jeon left his home in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at around 8:25 a.m. with his wife Lee Soon-ja (83). Wearing a gray suit, Jeon appeared in front of his house, waved once, and got into a vehicle. He did not respond to reporters' questions such as "Do you have any intention to apologize to the victims?"

Jeon was prosecuted for claiming in his memoir published in April 2017 that the late Father Cho Bi-o's testimony witnessing the helicopter shooting was false, and for criticizing Father Cho as a "shameless liar unworthy of being called a clergyman."

The first trial court recognized that the helicopter shooting in downtown Gwangju occurred on May 21 and 27, 1980, and judged that Jeon had the intent to defame, sentencing him to 8 months in prison with a 2-year probation in November last year.

Jeon appeared in court three times during the first trial, including the recognition hearing and sentencing date, but did not appear in the appeal trial after the first trial verdict. When the appellate court warned that "the trial can proceed without the defendant, but there will inevitably be disadvantages," he expressed his intention to attend. The Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Kim Jae-geun) will hold the appeal trial session at 2 p.m. in courtroom 201.

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