‘Firefighter Assault Charge’ Dismissed, Former Blue House Spokesperson Jeong Yeon-guk Receives Criminal Compensation

Law Decides to Pay 4.45 Million KRW in 'Criminal Compensation'

Jeong Yeon-guk, former Blue House spokesperson who was acquitted after being tried for assaulting a firefighter while intoxicated, will receive criminal compensation.

Jeong Yeon-guk, former Blue House spokesperson. Photo by Asia Economy DB

According to the legal community on the 6th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 51 (Chief Judge Shin Jong-yeol) decided to pay Jeong 4.45 million won in criminal compensation. Criminal compensation is a system where the state reimburses costs incurred during criminal proceedings when the defendant is acquitted.

In February 2021, Jeong was prosecuted for slapping a firefighter belonging to the Seocho Fire Station in Seoul while intoxicated.

The first trial ruled that it was difficult to recognize that the intoxicated Jeong was aware that the victim was a firefighter, and acquitted him of violating the Fire Services Act. Since he reached a settlement with the victim firefighter, the court dismissed the charges, ruling that he could not be punished for assault. The second trial dismissed the prosecution's appeal, finalizing the verdict.

Jeong, a former MBC reporter, served as a London correspondent, head of the Social Affairs Division 2, director of the Election Broadcasting Planning Team, and head of the News Center. He was appointed Blue House spokesperson in October 2015 while hosting the current affairs program "100 Minutes Debate."

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