Seoul Western District Court Ruckus 'Green Jumper Man' Receives Harshest Sentence

In a recent ruling, Jeon Mo (29), one of the main participants in the ruckus that occurred at the Seoul Western District Court last January, received the heaviest sentence in the first trial.

Known as the 'Green Jumper Man,' Mr. Jeon was tried for spraying a fire extinguisher and attempting to vandalize property within the court.

On the 19th, Chief Judge Kim Hyeong-seok of the 5th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Mr. Jeon to 3 years and 6 months in prison for charges including special trespassing and damage to special public facilities. Among the 11 participants who have received first-instance rulings related to the ruckus at the Western District Court, Mr. Jeon has been given the highest sentence to date.

3 years and 6 months

The court stated, “Attacking the court in an illegal and violent manner simply because the process or outcome of the court’s ruling differs from one’s own views undermines the foundations of liberal democracy and the rule of law,” adding that “such actions cannot be justified for any reason.”

Flight and Submission of Apology Letter… However, "Punishment Corresponding to Responsibility Inevitable"

Mr. Jeon was reported to have fled to Busan, turning off his mobile phone to evade arrest.

While the court considered that Mr. Jeon showed remorse by submitting daily apology letters, it ruled that "a punishment corresponding to the defendant's responsibility is inevitable."

Mr. Jeon is accused of spraying a fire extinguisher at police officers out of fury over the issuance of a warrant for former President Yoon on January 19, and attempting to damage glass doors and security devices within the court. He is also charged with illegally entering the 7th floor of the court along with others seeking out the judge who issued the warrant.

On the same day, another participant in the Western District Court incident, Choi Mo (66), was also sentenced. The court sentenced Mr. Choi to 1 year in prison.

Mr. Choi was charged with trespassing into the court and assaulting a police officer by pushing him during the process (charges of obstructing the execution of public duty).

The court explained its reasoning for Mr. Choi’s sentence stating, “The defendant trespassed into the court with a large number of people and acted violently against the police who were trying to prevent the intrusion, making his crime serious and warranting strict punishment.”

Image source: News1, Mr. Jeon intruding into the Western District Court back in January / Captured from JTBC report video.