Former Gwangbokhoe Chairman Jang Ho-kwon Sentenced to 3 Million Won Fine for BB Gun Threat

by Hwang Seoyul

Published 19 Jul.2023 15:45(KST)

Updated 19 Jul.2023 15:59(KST)

Jang Ho-gwon, former president of the Gwangbok Association (age 74), who was prosecuted for threatening a member with a BB gun pistol, was sentenced to a fine.

Former Gwangbokhoe Chairman Jang Ho-kwon Sentenced to 3 Million Won Fine for BB Gun Threat

On the 19th at 2 p.m., Judge Kim Yoon-hee of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 9 sentenced former president Jang to a fine of 3 million won for the charge of special intimidation and ordered the seizure of the BB gun pistol.

Former president Jang was indicted for threatening a Gwangbok Association member with a toy pistol resembling a firearm in the president’s office inside the Gwangbok Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on June 22 of last year. Jang claimed he was holding an electric shaver case for self-defense, but police investigation confirmed it was a toy pistol.

Jang’s side argued self-defense against threats made by the victim, member A, but the court did not accept this. The claim that the attempt was prevented due to the intervention of the secretary-general present nearby was also not recognized.

Judge Kim stated, “Considering the victim testified that fear was induced the moment the BB gun was drawn, it is difficult to see this as an attempt that failed,” and ruled, “There is no limitation on the method of causing harm, and simply bringing a BB gun can be considered a method of causing harm.”