Men in their 20s and 30s who shouted "Fake Police!" during Olympic Park protest receive prison sentences

On the morning of September 8, police are removing obstacles blocking the entrance to the handball stadium at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul. [Herald DB]
[Herald Economy = Reporter Kim Bo-young] Three individuals, including a man in his 20s who followed and mocked and threatened a police officer during a protest at Jamsil Olympic Park in Seoul last June, have been sentenced to prison in the first instance.
On the 6th, Judge Lee Jun-gu of the Seoul Eastern District Court's 7th Criminal Division sentenced Mr. Park (35), Mr. Kim (23), and Mr. Kim (24), who were indicted on charges of special obstruction of official duties, to six months in prison each.
In addition to Mr. Park, who had been standing trial under detention, the two others, who were previously out on bail, were taken into custody in court following the sentencing.
They are accused of following a police officer at the protest site, shouting "fake police," and surrounding the officer with other participants to threaten them.
Judge Lee stated, "While no one can deny that the freedom of assembly and demonstration must be maximally guaranteed in a democratic society, it must be lawful and peaceful, and sufficient consideration must be given to its harmony with other legal interests."
He continued, "Obstruction of official duties is a crime that neutralizes the legitimate exercise of public power and even threatens the physical safety of public officials, so it must be strictly punished."
Previously, during a hearing held on the 1st of last month, the prosecution sought one-year prison sentences for them, stating, "The guilt is not light, and they have not been forgiven by the victim."
The court found all the prosecution's charges against the defendants to be guilty. In particular, regarding Mr. Kim (24), who denied conspiracy with the other defendants and intentionality, the court ruled that the officer was wearing a uniform and equipment sufficient for the officer to confirm their identity as a police officer.
Judge Lee pointed out, "The victim officer was wearing a uniform, including a duty uniform, duty cap, and a vest with a name tag, was holding a radio, and had informed the defendant of their affiliation, rank, and name," adding, "The defendant must have sufficiently known or could have known that the victim officer was a police officer."
He further noted, "Even if they truly suspected impersonation of a police officer, they could have verified it by methods such as calling 112, but they took no such action at all," and "Despite proceeding with this crime based on vague suspicion and speculation, they denied the crime and showed no attitude of reflection."
It is reported that they deposited 15 million won, 10 million won, and 10 million won, respectively, for the victim officer, but the victim officer refused to accept the deposits.
Explaining the reasons for the sentencing, Judge Lee said, "The victim officer appears to have felt significant fear and psychological pressure and is still requesting severe punishment, making punishment commensurate with the responsibility inevitable," adding, "I took into account that Mr. Park has no prior record of similar crimes and that Mr. Kim and others are first-time offenders with no prior criminal record."