In January, two defendants who caused a disturbance by invading the Seoul Western District Court in protest of the arrest warrant issued for former President Yoon Suk-yeol were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months and 1 year in prison, respectively, in the first trial related to the incident.
On the morning of the 14th, Judge Kim Jin-sung of the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division conducted sentencing hearings for Kim and So, who were charged with special obstruction of court proceedings and other offenses. Kim received a sentence of 1 year and 6 months, while So was sentenced to 1 year.
The court commented, “Many people, including the defendants, were involved in a single incident, and the outcome of the overall criminal activity at that time was appalling.” The judge added that the incident was driven by “a determination or obsession to enforce immediate retaliation and revenge, interpreting the issuance of the arrest warrant by the South Korean judiciary as a political conspiracy.”
The judge noted that while the defendants showed their power as a group, which was considered in the crime facts, they also showed remorse for their actions, committed the crime impulsively, and were first-time offenders, factors which were taken into account during sentencing.
According to the prosecution, Kim and So entered the Western District Court around 3 a.m. on January 19th, just after the arrest warrant for former President Yoon was issued, and engaged in disorderly conduct. The prosecution’s investigation revealed that Kim damaged the court’s exterior by throwing bricks and sewer covers, and pushed and assaulted several Seoul Metropolitan Police officers on duty. So entered through the back gate of the court and damaged a plastic door by throwing a flowerpot holder.
The prosecution demanded 3 years in prison for Kim and 2 years for So. In a previous concluding hearing, the prosecution indicated that they would submit their recommendations in writing, considering the nature of the case.
During the final trial, the defendants admitted all charges and expressed remorse. Kim’s attorney stated that Kim recognized the seriousness of his actions and, feeling deep regret for his immature behavior, wished to return to society soon and live sincerely with a sense of repentance.