Prosecution Seeks 1 Year 6 Months Prison Sentence for Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, over 'Illegal Assembly'

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the National Democratic Labor Union Federation (Minju-cho), who is accused of leading large-scale rallies in downtown Seoul during the COVID-19 outbreak.

On the 2nd, the prosecution asked the court to sentence him to "1 year and 6 months in prison and a fine of 3 million won" during the final hearing of the trial for violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and other charges, presided over by Judge Jeong Jong-geon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9 at 2:30 p.m. The prosecutor emphasized, "The crimes were repeatedly committed and caused public danger such as the risk of spreading infectious diseases."

Yang’s defense acknowledged most of the charges but stressed the unconstitutionality of related provisions in the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the illegality of local government assembly restriction notices. In the closing argument, Yang’s lawyer appealed for leniency, saying, "The desperate demands of the jobless due to disasters like COVID-19 were expressed by the poor and powerless people crying out in the square for the last time." He also emphasized, "The UN stated that a total ban on assemblies cannot be permitted," and "The international community and civic groups are appealing for the defendant’s release."

Yang himself stated in his final remarks, "Before being the chairman of Minju-cho, I had to speak for the vulnerable as a non-regular worker," and asked, "Please understand the three rallies as the cries of laborers."

Earlier, Yang was indicted on charges including leading several illegal protests from May to July (violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and general traffic obstruction). Notably, about 8,000 people reportedly attended the National Workers’ Rally held in downtown Seoul on July 3, according to the organizers.

The police secured his custody on September 2, 20 days after the court issued an arrest warrant, and transferred him to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. The prosecution indicted Yang in custody on the 15th of last month.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. on the 25th.

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