Activist from Civic Group Obstructing Search of US Ambassador's Residence Faces Prison Sentence Request
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution has requested prison sentences for eight civic group activists accused of obstructing a search related to the 2019 intrusion at the US Ambassador's residence in Korea by the University Student Progressive Alliance (Daejin-yeon).
On the 29th, at the sentencing hearing presided over by Judge Koo Ja-kwang of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 8, the prosecution sought a two-year prison term for Yoon (46), who was charged with obstruction of special official duties, and one-year prison terms for the other seven activists.
They are accused of obstructing a police search of the office of the civic group "Pyeonghwa Ieum" located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on October 22, 2019, while the police were investigating the intrusion at the US Ambassador's residence.
Earlier, on October 18 of the same year, about ten members of Daejin-yeon climbed over the wall of the US Ambassador's residence in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, entered inside, and shouted slogans opposing the increase of defense cost-sharing, resulting in their arrest by police on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. At that time, the police discovered that one of the Daejin-yeon members had registered the "Pyeonghwa Ieum" office as their residence and subsequently searched the office.
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In his final statement, Yoon said, "I did not know that the university student who climbed over the US Ambassador's residence wall had listed our office as their residence," and added, "After discussions ended, I cooperated with the police search with the help of a lawyer." Other activists also claimed, "It was absurd to conduct a residential search in the office where staff were holding a meeting," and "We only tried to prevent an activist from being dragged out by the police and had no intention to assault the police."
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