"Emergency Martial Law Until Stock Price Rises"... Abusive Public Official Appeals Prison Sentence in First Trial

Sentenced to 1 Year and 8 Months in First Trial
Appeals Filed Citing Unfair Sentencing

A public servant from Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for repeatedly abusing sanitation workers in the workplace, has appealed the verdict.

According to Yonhap News on April 22, a Grade 7 driving officer in his 40s, referred to as A, who was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison by the first trial court on charges of coercion, habitual threats, habitual assault, and insult, has filed an appeal, citing the sentence as unduly harsh.

A Grade 7 driving officer A from Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, accused of power abuse against a minor female worker, is coming out after the pre-trial detention hearing held at the Sokcho Branch of Chuncheon District Court on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News

As A failed to reach a settlement with the victims before the first trial verdict, he appealed in order to continue pursuing a settlement. The prosecution, which had requested a five-year prison sentence, also filed an appeal on April 20, arguing that the sentence was too lenient.

A was put on trial for workplace abuse and harassment after being accused of committing coercion 60 times, assaulting 60 times, threatening 10 times, and insulting 7 times against three sanitation workers in their 20s (one permanent and two contract workers) whom he supervised, between July and November last year.

He is accused of harassing employees and obstructing their work by intentionally parking the garbage collection vehicle far away or driving it slowly. He was also found to have made threats such as "I am declaring emergency martial law until the stock price reaches the desired level," citing a drop in stock prices, and to have coerced the employees into buying stocks and checking whether they were wearing red underwear. In addition, he was charged with habitual acts of forcing the victims to step on each other, throwing cigarette butts, firing BB bullets, and other acts of assault and insult.

During the trial, A admitted to his charges and submitted a letter of remorse, pleading for leniency. However, the victims attended the sentencing hearing in person and read out statements requesting a severe punishment.

The prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence for A. The prosecution explained its reasoning by stating, "The defendant repeatedly harassed the victims, who were socially more vulnerable than himself, over a long period of time by abusing his position. The nature of the crime is extremely poor. The victims appear to have suffered significant pain and are requesting a severe punishment. The duration and methods of the crimes were also taken into consideration."

The first trial court found all the charges to be guilty in light of the defendant's confession and other circumstances. The court stated, "Considering the frequency and methods of the offenses, the nature of the crimes is serious and highly blameworthy. The victims suffered physical and psychological pain, and they are asking for a severe punishment."

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