Fury erupts over Hanhwa heir's suspended sentence
By Lee Kyung-min
Fury erupted, Wednesday, over a district court ruling that handed down Kim Dong-seon, 27, a suspended prison term for assaulting bar employees and damaging a police vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim to eight month in prison suspended for two years. He was also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.
The youngest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn was arrested and charged with assault, destruction of public property and obstruction of business.
Video footage released earlier showed Kim jumping over a bar table, punching a bartender in the head, slapping him in the face and pulling his hair in a bar in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, Jan. 5. Kim cursed at the employee for not coming to him immediately after he asked him to.
Kim also threatened a bar manager with a glass bottle and hit him in the head as well.
Later, while under police custody on his way to a police station, Kim tore off a car seat during a violent outburst, according to police.
An internet user with an ID nept**** said: “The number one principle in the law textbook of Hell Joseon is that the rich are not guilty and the poor are guilty.” Hell Joseon is a term recently coined by the young generation comparing Korea to hell out of frustration with the country where they consider there is no fairness and therefore no future for the poor and the young.
Many others sarcastically praised the judge who made the ruling. “Oh, judge you did well by following the rule of the rich never being guilty.”
“I expected that he would get off with a suspended sentence. The thing is, even if people like him get convicted, they have no problem living their posh, irresponsible lives due to their family background,” another comment read.
Such a view was echoed by others. “Well. What’s new? The law in this country is lenient to the rich and the powerful,” one comment read.
Many others cast serious doubt about whether justice exists in the country. “The world does not change. Money is law. What do you expect?” read one comment with skepticism prevalent while another said, “I knew it. This is how they (the judges) have always been. Absolutely nothing new.” Another comment read “I would rather AlphaGo be the judge. I’m sick of judges making this kind of same old ruling.”