Cargo Solidarity Member in His 50s Given Suspended Sentence for 'Weapon Threat Incident' at Jinju Rally

Prosecutors Seek Two-Year Prison Sentence for Union Member in His 60s Who Drove Vehicle Toward Police Officers

A member of the Cargo Solidarity of the Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, who was indicted for causing a disturbance, including threatening police officers with a weapon during a rally, has been given a suspended sentence.

On June 17, the Criminal Division 1 single judge at the Jinju branch of the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam, presided over by Judge Kang Mihee, sentenced a union member in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension of execution on charges including obstruction of official duties with a dangerous weapon.

According to the court, on April 19, Mr. A was indicted for attempting self-harm with a weapon and threatening unspecified people for about three hours and twenty minutes at the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters rally site in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center (BGF Logis Jinju Center) in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju. He was also charged with threatening police officers who tried to restrain him.

The Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is holding a general mobilization rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Cargo Solidarity]

The court stated, "There is a strong need for strict punishment for obstruction of official duties, and the act of brandishing a weapon in a public place and causing anxiety among the crowd is a serious offense."

The court added, "However, in determining the sentence, it was taken into consideration that the main content of the threats was an attempt at self-harm rather than an intention to inflict direct harm on the police officers."

Prior to this sentencing, the court also held a final hearing for Mr. B, another Cargo Solidarity member who was indicted for driving a vehicle toward police officers at the same rally site.

According to the prosecution, on April 20 at the same rally, Mr. B drove a van toward police officers, injuring two officers.

The prosecution sought a two-year prison sentence for Mr. B, citing his previous criminal record for similar offenses and the fact that he committed the crime again while under investigation for related incidents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.