By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter
Demonstrators who forced Seoul City to abruptly cancel the opening ceremony of the Hi Seoul Festival in May last year have been ordered to pay a combined 200 million won in compensation for holding an illegal rally and causing damage.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that a man, identified only by his surname Min, and seven others must pay 204 million won in compensation to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Seoul Foundation Arts and Culture.
"Min and five others disrupted the festival proceedings by force. As a result, the opening ceremony and other events were canceled. The other two also joined in the illegal occupation of the stage," the court said, adding they should be held accountable for their actions.
The court then said it is not always the case that only organizers of unlawful activities are responsible for the damage. "Mere participants should also be responsible for financial losses. The compensation lawsuit filed by Seoul city against Min and seven other protestors does not infringe on their freedom of assembly," it ruled.
The court ordered the plaintiffs to pay 30 percent of the total expenses of the festival preparations to Seoul Foundation Arts and Culture. They were also ordered to pay an additional 30 million for damage to Seoul city's international credibility and image as a result of the event cancelation.
In May 2009, thousands of protesters took part in unauthorized street rallies in central Seoul to commemorate the one-year anniversary of anti-U.S. beef protests. Some of the demonstrators hijacked the stage for the festival's opening ceremony, which led to an all-out cancellation of planned events.
In response, Seoul City filed 230 million won in compensation lawsuits against protest organizers and participants. City officials said the cancellation alone inflicted 375 million won in damage to the city.
Given that Seoul's image and brand value were also significantly undermined by the protest, the total damage was estimated to reach 600 million won.
In an earlier court ruling, Min and his fellow protesters were sentenced to 10 months in prison or given suspended sentences.
leehs@koreatimes.co.kr