Democratic Party Lawmakers Face Fines over 'Fast Track Clash'... Protest Against Emotional Indictment (Comprehensive)

Park Beomgye: 4 Million Won Fine
Park Jumin: 3 Million Won Fine

The prosecution has requested fines for all current and former members of the Democratic Party of Korea and related individuals who were brought to trial over the National Assembly 'Fast Track Clash' incident.

Park Beomgye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea involved in the National Assembly 'Fast Track Clash' incident, appeared at the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 28th at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, responding to questions from the press. Photo by Yonhap News

At the sentencing hearing held on the 28th at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Agreement Division 12 (Presiding Judge Kim Jeong-gon), the prosecution asked the court to impose a fine of 4 million won on Assemblyman Park Beomgye and a fine of 3 million won on Assemblyman Park Jumin.

The prosecution also requested a fine of 15 million won for Kim Byungwook, Secretary to the President for Political Affairs, and fines of 7 million won and 5 million won for former lawmakers Lee Jonggol and Pyo Changwon, respectively. For aides and party officials indicted on the same charges, fines ranging from 2 million won to 12 million won were sought.

Given that it is rare for the court to hand down sentences heavier than the prosecution's recommendations, it is widely expected that incumbent lawmakers Park Beomgye and Park Jumin are unlikely to lose their seats. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 19th of next month.

Park Beomgye and Park Jumin, members of the Democratic Party of Korea involved in the National Assembly 'Fast Track Clash' incident, are answering reporters' questions after the first trial held at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

In their final statements, Assemblymen Park Beomgye and Park Jumin argued that the indictments were selective and emotionally driven. Assemblyman Park Beomgye stated, "I believe that those who fell out of favor with the Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution were selectively prosecuted in retaliation," adding, "I hope the verdict will include deep reflection on why the prosecution was driven to a situation where it even lost its investigative authority." Assemblyman Park Jumin said, "Neither the video evidence nor my own recollection shows any use of physical force," and added, "There were reports at the time that Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol was enraged, and I later heard that I was included among those indicted."

They were indicted without detention in January 2020 on charges of assaulting or injuring officials from the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) during the Fast Track Clash incident. The Fast Track Clash refers to the physical confrontation between the Democratic Party and the Liberty Korea Party in April 2019, which erupted over whether to designate the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the introduction of a mixed-member proportional representation system as fast-track legislative items.

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