Court Sentences Jeon Jang-yeon, Head of Bus Operation Disruption Protest, to Suspended Prison Term... Park Kyung-seok "Will Appeal Immediately"

Bus Operation Disrupted for 15 Minutes at Marronnier Park Last April
Jeonjangyeon "Ruling Ignores Consideration of Disabled People's Basic Rights Violation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungseon Gong, Daehyun Kim] Park Kyung-seok, the executive representative of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon), who was prosecuted for obstructing bus operations while demanding the guarantee of mobility rights for persons with disabilities, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial. Park stated that he would immediately appeal.

On the morning of the 18th, Judge Yang Hwan-seung of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 3 sentenced Park, who was charged with violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and other charges, to four months in prison with a two-year suspension.

Judge Yang said, "Just because the purpose is legitimate does not mean that all means and methods to achieve it are justified," adding, "It caused considerable inconvenience to citizens using the bus during rush hour, and Park himself must be well aware that he violated legal order and that such actions are socially unacceptable." He also explained, "I urged reconsideration of the demonstration methods, but Park repeatedly led members to board the subway and obstruct subway operations. The attitude shown so far is far from one of remorse."

At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecutor requested the court to sentence Park to six months in prison, stating that he obstructed bus operations by force. In his final statement, Park appealed, "It took me two hours to come to court," and said, "I resisted inequality and discrimination as a citizen because I am discriminated against compared to non-disabled people in mobility." He added, "I asked to be allowed on the bus, but the bus driver did not even attempt to let me on and refused my request," and "My actions were justified, and I believe I expressed the minimum opinion as a citizen."

At that time, Judge Yang said, "Because the defendant asserted his rights vigorously, interest in disability issues has increased and rights have been enhanced," and requested, "Please reconsider whether the current methods can be sympathized with by ordinary citizens."

Park was prosecuted for obstructing bus operations without notifying a demonstration at the bus stop in front of Marronnier Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on April 8 last year. About 20 members of Jeonjangyeon held the demonstration by chaining themselves to the bus. According to Jeonjangyeon, bus operations were delayed for 15 minutes at that time.

This ruling is expected to affect another trial of Park, which is ongoing for other assemblies and obstruction of business. Park was also involved in subway delay protests on January 22, February 10, and June 4 last year and has been sued by Seoul Metro for charges of obstructing train traffic and business operations. Jeonjangyeon delayed subway operations for 5 hours and 39 minutes from January to November last year in a manner similar to the bus operation obstruction. Additionally, a lawsuit for damages has been filed by Seoul Metro. At the end of last month, the Seoul Central District Court referred the damage lawsuit to mediation.

Jeonjangyeon criticized this trial as an inhumane judgment. Park said, "I expected legal justice from the judiciary, but it was a vain expectation," and added, "This is a discriminatory judgment that has not said a word about the basic rights violations that persons with disabilities have suffered so far. I will immediately appeal."

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