Even After Saying "I Don't Think So," They Released Him... Absurd Response: "If You Don't Pay the Fine, You Will Be Wanted"

Signed a confidentiality agreement but still informed family and acquaintances

At Pohang Prison in Gyeongbuk, a mistake occurred where an inmate serving a labor sentence was released early despite having remaining time on their sentence, and there are signs that attempts were made to persuade the inmate to prevent media leaks.

On the 29th, MBC reported that Pohang Prison released inmate A on the 22nd, even though about two-thirds of his sentence remained. A had previously been fined for violating the Automobile Management Act and other offenses. He was detained at the Pohang Prison labor camp earlier this month to serve 39 days of labor, valued at about 100,000 won per day, in lieu of paying a 3.9 million won fine.

However, Pohang Prison released him on July 16, although his scheduled release date was August 16. Despite A’s repeated requests for confirmation, the prison staff only responded with "You can be released." A said, "I told the correctional officer that my release was in August, but they said it was July," adding, "I felt uneasy even after being released."

An error occurred at Pohang Correctional Institution in Gyeongbuk, where an inmate serving a labor sentence was released early despite having remaining time. Inmate A inquired with the prosecution and received the following response.
[Image source=MBC news screen capture]

Still unsettled, A contacted the prosecution after his release and received a shocking response. The prosecution stated that "the release was a mistake, and although he was mistakenly released, if the remaining fine is not paid, he will immediately become a wanted person." When A protested again to Pohang Prison, the prison promptly admitted the error and attempted to contact him. When A refused, the prison reached out to his family and acquaintances. A said, "I had requested that my family not be informed and signed a consent form before admission, but my personal information ended up being heard by others." Subsequently, the prison reportedly tried to persuade A by asking, "If we pay the fine on your behalf, would you withdraw your media reports?"

Regarding the incident, Pohang Prison explained, "Due to a failure to input data into the electronic system, two out of three labor sessions for Mr. Lee were not executed, resulting in his early release."

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