Former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook receives suspended fine for illegal rally during COVID-19

According to Financial News, former United Future Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook, who was indicted for taking part in the Gwanghwamun Liberation Day rally despite a ban on assemblies during the COVID-19 pandemic, has had a suspended fine confirmed by the Supreme Court of Korea.
On the 5th, the Second Division of the Supreme Court of Korea, presided over by Justice Kwon Young-jun, upheld a lower court ruling that sentenced Min to a fine of 500,000 won with a one-year suspension, for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and other charges.
On August 15, 2020, Min organized and led a rally and march of several thousand people near Euljiro 1-ga Station in Jung District in central Seoul, claiming that that year’s general election had been rigged.
Investigators found that Min and the demonstrators marched toward the Jongno area, which was outside the permitted protest zone, at a time when assemblies were restricted due to COVID-19. In response, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ju-min filed a complaint against Min and others for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and related offenses.
The court of first instance acquitted Min of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act but found him guilty of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, handing down a suspended fine. The appellate court dismissed Min’s appeal and upheld the initial ruling. The Supreme Court of Korea also rejected his final appeal, making the lower court’s decision final.

hwlee@fnnews.com Lee Hwan-joo Reporter