"Infiltrated with Fire Extinguishers and Shields at Western District Court"... 2 Participants Sentenced to Prison

[Financial News] Two men who participated in the 'Seoul Western District Court riot incident' and intruded into the court and damaged the interior were sentenced to prison.
Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Park Ji-won) sentenced Mr. Lee (63), who was indicted for special building intrusion, to 1 year and 4 months in prison, and Mr. Nam (36), who was also charged with special public property damage, to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
They were brought to trial on charges of unauthorized intrusion into the court with a large number of protesters in the early morning of January 19th, in protest of the arrest warrant issued for former President Yoon Seok-yeol. Mr. Nam was found to have used police shields, fire extinguishers, and metal rods to damage exterior wall tiles, windows, and artworks hanging on the walls.
The court explained, "If people dissatisfied with the court's judgment try to resolve issues through violence outside the courtroom, it will lead to endless social conflicts and serious damage." It continued, "The defendants entered through the back gate with numerous protesters at night, broke through police barricades at the forefront, and advanced inside. The situation was so threatening that court staff felt real fear, and the independence of the judiciary and the authority of the court were severely undermined."
Mr. Lee's charge of obstructing special official duties was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Although it was acknowledged through video that Mr. Lee confronted the police at close range, it was not clearly proven that he pushed and assaulted with his body.
The court stated as reasons for sentencing, "△Both individuals are first-time offenders △A petition requesting leniency or compensation for some damages was submitted △A letter of apology was submitted."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter