Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Arrest warrant rejected for protestor who burned national flag
By Kim Rahn
A local court refused to issue an arrest warrant Tuesday for a protestor accused of burning taegeukgi, the Korean national flag, during a rally in April after concluding that the incident as an impulsive act.
The man, surnamed Kim, 24, allegedly burned the flag with a lighter on April 18 during a rally marking the first anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul.
Damaging the national flag with intention to defame the country is a crime subject to prison sentences of up to five years.
He was also charged with damaging a police bus by pulling it with a rope, occupying the road and not following a police order to disperse.
Police took him into custody on Friday and the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for insulting the national flag, damaging public property and obstructing traffic.
But Seoul Central District Court said, “It seems that Kim was stirred up, inflicting an injury on himself on the arm during the rally, and burned the flag impulsively and unpremeditatedly.”
It said that the prosecution would be able to investigate Kim without arresting him, considering that he did not commit the crime systematically or with other accomplices, that he has reflected on his acts and that he has no previous criminal record.
Seeking the warrant prompted criticism of the police and the prosecution, because it is unusual to do so for burning a taegeukgi.
There have been many incidents during which protestors, conservative and progressive, have burned the national flag during rallies. But such people have usually not faced indictment, as the law states only those who damage the national flag “with intention to defame the country” are subject to punishment.
Earlier, another man booked for burning taegeukgi on the streets under the influence of alcohol was charged with damaging public property instead of insulting the national flag because police acknowledged that his actions were not politically motivated.