Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentence Again in 2nd Trial for Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was prosecuted for leading illegal rallies and demonstrations in downtown Seoul, was sentenced to the same prison term in the appellate trial as in the first trial.

On the 7th, at a hearing held by the 4-2 Criminal Appeals Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Jeon Yeon-sook, Cha Eun-kyung, Yang Ji-jung), the prosecution requested the court to "sentence the defendant to 1 year and 6 months in prison and a fine of 3 million won, considering the defendant's repeated insistence on illegal rallies." This is the same sentence as the first trial.

In his final statement, Chairman Yang said, "In a situation where the voices of workers are comprehensively restricted, I judged that at least a minimal outcry was necessary," and added, "I ask the court to also consider so that such voices are not unilaterally blocked." Yang’s defense attorney also argued, "The Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the local government’s assembly ban notice applied in this case are illegal and invalid," and requested, "Please acquit the defendant."

Yang was arrested and indicted for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act by breaking quarantine guidelines while leading several illegal demonstrations in downtown Seoul from May to July last year.

The court concluded the trial procedure on this day and plans to hold the appellate sentencing hearing on the 21st of next month.

Earlier, the first trial court recognized all charges against Chairman Yang as guilty but sentenced him to 1 year in prison with 2 years probation and a fine of 3 million won, considering some mitigating circumstances.

Chairman Yang is also facing trial for another charge of illegally holding the "131st World Labor Day Rally" held in May last year, with the first trial sentencing pending. The prosecution demanded a 10-month prison sentence for Yang in that case.

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