Prosecutors sought prison terms for men in their 20s who were put on trial on charges of threatening a police officer by calling the officer a "fake cop" at the Jamsil Olympic Park ballot-counting site in Seoul in June.
At a hearing on the 1st before Judge Lee Jun-gu of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 7, prosecutors asked the court to sentence three men in their 20s, including a person surnamed Park, to one year in prison each on charges of obstructing special official duties.
Park and others are accused of following a police officer and shouting "fake cop" at the Jamsil Olympic Park ballot-counting site, where protests were underway in June, and surrounding and threatening the officer with other protesters, thereby obstructing official duties.
Prosecutors said, "It appears the defendants acknowledge their actions, but their culpability is not light, and they have not been forgiven by the victim," explaining the sentencing request.
The defense asked the court to consider their remorse and efforts to make the victim whole. In closing arguments, the attorney said, "It may be small compared with the harm the victim suffered, but the defendant deposited a not-insignificant amount of money and remains willing to seek forgiveness," adding, "Please show leniency in light of the deep remorse."
Park, who is on trial in custody, also said, "I am reflecting every day in the detention center," and, "After I pay for my crime and return to society, I will remain vigilant and never commit a crime again." The sentencing hearing for Park and the others is scheduled for Oct. 6 in the afternoon.