Prosecutors sought a three-year prison term for a police officer put on trial on charges of involvement in destroying evidence during the investigation into sex crimes by Jeong Myeong-seok, head of the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS). Prosecutors said the officer is suspected of using on-duty police status to persuade others to replace a cellphone containing evidence.
On May 21, during a sentencing hearing before Criminal Division 11, single-judge panel (Judge Kang Myeon-gu) of the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court, prosecutors asked the court to sentence Mr. A to three years in prison.
In April 2022, while serving at the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, Mr. A was indicted on charges of conspiring with members of the religious group to instigate the replacement of a cellphone storing evidence after the sex crime investigation into Jeong began.
According to prosecutors, Mr. A, as an active-duty police officer, joined video conferences with members of the religious group by citing knowledge of investigative procedures, and persuaded followers, including the leader's aides, to replace their cellphones. The aides were later was found to have actually replaced the phones.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency removed Mr. A from duty in Oct. 2024.
Mr. A's attorney said, "After living diligently as a public official, he made a grave mistake in the course of religious life," and asked, "Please show leniency so he can return to his family and make a fresh start."
In a final statement, Mr. A said, "I am sorry for causing concern," and asked, "Please give me one more chance so I can take good care of my children."
Sentencing will be on July 2.