Prosecutors have sought one-year prison terms for three men in their 20s accused of threatening a police officer during a protest at a ballot-counting station at the Handball Stadium in Seoul's Olympic Park.
At a final hearing on the 1st before Judge Lee Jun-gu at the Seoul Eastern District Court, prosecutors asked the court to sentence each of the three men, including a defendant surnamed Park, to one year in prison. They were indicted on charges of obstructing the performance of official duties by special means.
"They appear to acknowledge their actions, but their culpability is not light," prosecutors said, adding that they had taken into account that the defendants had not been forgiven by the victim.
Park and the others are accused of obstructing official duties in June by shouting "fake police" at an officer at the ballot-counting station in Jamsil and surrounding him along with other participants to intimidate him.
In closing arguments, a lawyer for the defendants said Park had deposited a substantial sum with the court, though it fell short of the harm the victim suffered. He asked the court to consider that the defendants were deeply remorseful.
In his final statement, Park said he had been reflecting on his conduct every day in the detention center. "Once I have paid for my crime and returned to society, I will stay alert and never commit another offense," he said.
The verdict is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 6th of next month.
