By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution said Friday it has indicted human rights activist Park Lae-goon, the co-chairman of a group representing the families of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster, for organizing violent protests that damaged property and injured police officers.
The prosecution charged him with obstruction of justice, destroying police property, assaulting police officers and traffic law violations.
He has been detained since July 16 after a district court issued an arrest warrant against him for those charges.
Park is a steering committee member of the People's Committee for the Sewol Ferry Tragedy and Coalition 4.16 on the Sewol Ferry Disaster.
Alongside Park, a key representative of the group, Kim Hye-jin, was also indicted without detention.
The prosecution said Park and Kim staged a number of illegal rallies without obtaining permits from the authorities, and refused to disband when directed.
He is also suspected of prompting the protestors to strike police officers and to break through their defensive shields.
Depending on further investigation, aggravated charges might be added, the prosecution said.
According to the prosecution, at an April 18 protest alone, the group caused more than 90 million won ($78,000) in damages to police vehicles, cameras and other equipment, as well as the costs for hospital treatment of 74 wounded officers.
Some officers had parts of their ear cut off after being hit by protestors, the prosecution said.
Since May of last year, civic groups have staged a number of rallies in front of Seoul Plaza which have led to violent clashes with police.
The protestors have gathered in commemoration of the tragedy on April 16 of last year that claimed 304 lives, most of whom were high school students on a trip.
They have called on the government to recognize their demands regarding government compensation and raising the sunken ferry.
Following a number of violent confrontations, police raided the group's office in Seoul on June 19, and seized computer data. They also confiscated the cell phones of Park and Kim.
International human rights groups such as Forum-Asia, Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights are calling for the release of the activists, including Park.
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| Park Lae-goon |
The prosecution charged him with obstruction of justice, destroying police property, assaulting police officers and traffic law violations.
He has been detained since July 16 after a district court issued an arrest warrant against him for those charges.
Park is a steering committee member of the People's Committee for the Sewol Ferry Tragedy and Coalition 4.16 on the Sewol Ferry Disaster.
Alongside Park, a key representative of the group, Kim Hye-jin, was also indicted without detention.
The prosecution said Park and Kim staged a number of illegal rallies without obtaining permits from the authorities, and refused to disband when directed.
He is also suspected of prompting the protestors to strike police officers and to break through their defensive shields.
Depending on further investigation, aggravated charges might be added, the prosecution said.
According to the prosecution, at an April 18 protest alone, the group caused more than 90 million won ($78,000) in damages to police vehicles, cameras and other equipment, as well as the costs for hospital treatment of 74 wounded officers.
Some officers had parts of their ear cut off after being hit by protestors, the prosecution said.
Since May of last year, civic groups have staged a number of rallies in front of Seoul Plaza which have led to violent clashes with police.
The protestors have gathered in commemoration of the tragedy on April 16 of last year that claimed 304 lives, most of whom were high school students on a trip.
They have called on the government to recognize their demands regarding government compensation and raising the sunken ferry.
Following a number of violent confrontations, police raided the group's office in Seoul on June 19, and seized computer data. They also confiscated the cell phones of Park and Kim.
International human rights groups such as Forum-Asia, Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights are calling for the release of the activists, including Park.
