'Neighborhood Disturbance' 50s Threaten Neighbor with Weapon After Enduring Repeatedly... Court "Considers Circumstances"

by Kim Daehyun

Published 20 Mar.2022 16:02(KST)

Updated 20 Mar.2022 16:06(KST)

A Residential Area in Gangnam-gu, Seoul... Residents Suffer from Repeated Disturbances

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 50s who threatened a neighbor with a weapon after causing disturbances in the neighborhood has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the legal community on the 20th, Judge Lee Wonjoong of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 19 recently sentenced A (51, male), who was indicted on charges of special trespassing and special threats, to 4 months in prison with a 1-year suspension.

A, who resides in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was brought to trial for allegedly breaking into the yard of his neighbor B's (52, female) house around 3:40 a.m. on March 3 last year, wielding a weapon and threatening her with abusive language.

At the time, A reportedly shouted, "You XXX. If you come out and curse at me one more time and I catch sight of you, I'll kill you," while arguing at B's front door, and stabbed the door several times with the weapon.

It was understood that A committed the crime out of anger because B had kicked his front gate and caused a disturbance by cursing on the same day. Judge Lee stated, "The crime of A breaking into B's house with a dangerous object and threatening her is serious," but also noted, "B caused the incident, which is a mitigating circumstance, and other sentencing factors were comprehensively considered."

Meanwhile, B is known to have frequently roamed the neighborhood shouting and cursing, knocking on neighbors' doors at all hours. B is also currently on trial for property damage and other charges, with Judge Lee presiding over the case.

B faces charges of kicking and pulling the front door of another neighbor's house last March, damaging the door and lock, as well as damaging another neighbor's vehicle license plate by pulling it. An elderly neighbor testified in B's trial held on the 17th, saying, "B suddenly grabbed my hair and kicked me in front of my house," and added, "I wish they would just put B in a correctional facility. Everyone in the neighborhood says the same."