The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office said on the 26th it would not appeal the first-instance ruling that sentenced 10 former and current Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, aides, and party officials to fines over clashes with the opposition during the 2019 fast-track designation process for bills including the law to establish the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a notice of appeal must be filed within seven days of sentencing, and this day was the deadline.
In a press notice, prosecutors said, "After in-depth review and discussion with the investigation team, the trial team, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, we decided not to file appeals against any of the defendants." Even if some sentences fell short of the prosecution's requests, all defendants were convicted on the overall conduct, and because the clashes arose during the handling of proceedings, it is difficult to view them solely as one-sided use of physical force. They also cited the need to minimize a dispute that has dragged on for more than six years since the incident.
Earlier, the Criminal Agreement Division 12 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jeong-gon, senior judge) sentenced Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Park Beom-kye and Park Ju-min, who were indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts, including joint assault, to fines of 3 million won each and stayed the sentences. Presidential Office Political Secretary Kim Byung-wook was fined 10 million won, and former lawmaker Lee Jong-kul was fined 5 million won. Former lawmaker Pyo Chang-won also received a stayed sentence with a 3 million won fine. Five aides and party officials indicted alongside them were fined between 2 million won and 3 million won.
Prosecutors added that although sitting lawmakers Park Beom-kye and Park Ju-min were fined, their seats are not affected. Under the Public Official Election Act, a lawmaker loses the seat if a sentence of imprisonment or heavier is finalized in an ordinary criminal case, or if a fine of 5 million won or more is finalized for a violation of Article 166 of the National Assembly Act.
Prosecutors also said on the 27th of last month that they would not appeal the first-instance ruling that imposed fines on 26 defendants, including six People Power Party lawmakers, on charges of obstructing the performance of special official duties and violating the National Assembly Act. At the time as well, they cited the convictions and the need to minimize a prolonged dispute.