[사회]Jeon Kwang-hoon’s innocence in the first trial … Court “Freedom of expression is the foundation of a democratic society”

[앵커]

Pastor Kwang-Hoon Jeon, who was accused of defaming President Moon Jae-in after campaigning before the general election on April 15, was acquitted.

The judge decided that the law must be strictly applied so as not to undermine the nature of freedom of expression.

This is reporter Han Dong-oh.

[기자] [전광훈 / 목사 (지난해 12월 7일) : 자유 우파 국민이 황교안을 대표로 뽑은 이상 반드시 우리가 하나가 돼서 4월 15일 날 이겨야 되는 것입니다!]

Pastor Kwang-Hoon Jeon was brought to trial on charges of making various comments in support of the “free right-wing party,” including the Free Korea Party, at the Gwanghwamun assembly and prayer meetings before the last general election.

The decision of the first trial court was innocent against the former pastor who was at the center of the controversy by repeating the imprisonment and release due to arrest and bail, confirmation of the crown 19 and the cancellation of the bail.

The judiciary decided that the “free-right party”, which the former pastor had supported, was abstract and ambiguous, and the actual party that corresponded to it could not be clearly specified.

Furthermore, it was judged that there was no specific candidate, which is the premise of the electoral campaign concept, because the comments were not recorded as party candidates for the 21 general elections.

[전광훈 / 목사 (지난해 10월 9일) : 문재인은 평창 동계올림픽에서 대한민국 간첩의 왕인 신영복을 내가 가장 존경하는 사상가라고 말했습니다. 이것은 간첩의 본체라고 하는 것입니다.]

The court found him not guilty on the accusations of defamation of the reputation of President Moon with such comments.

In the case of a ‘spy’ comment, it was judged that it was only seen as an expression of opinion or a rhetorical exaggeration intended to criticize the political tendencies or actions of President Moon, a public figure.

Comments that they “tried communism” were also seen as an expression of critical opinions about President Moon’s political actions and attitudes, while the former pastor presented his own arguments.

He also stressed that freedom of expression is the foundation of a democratic society, and that even restricting it, the law should not be interpreted by broadening the law so as not to violate the essence of freedom of expression.

Immediately after the ruling, Pastor Jeon welcomed “Korea has won”, insisting that those who dismantle the Republic of Korea will be judged through the Constitution.

[전광훈 / 목사 (판결 직후) : 대한민국이 이겼습니다! 저는 선지자입니다, 선지자. 아니 지구촌에서 선지자를 구속하는 나라 봤습니까? 내가 말하는 말이 조금 무리가 있다고 쳐도 한기총 대표 회장을 구속하는 나라가 있습니까?]

The civic group that accused the expat criticized the death penalty against the Law on Elections of Public Officials, claiming that the videos and evidence of repeated campaigns were clear, and that they recognized the offensive speech as freedom of expression.

The judge repeatedly emphasized that freedom of expression was used as a criterion to judge this case.

The prosecution, which was seeking two years and six months in prison for Pastor Kwang-Hoon Jeon, will decide whether to appeal shortly after reviewing the sentence.

YTN Han Dong-oh[[email protected]]is.

※ ‘Your report becomes news’ YTN is waiting for your valuable report.
[카카오톡] Search YTN to add a channel [전화] 02-398-8585 [메일] [email protected] [온라인 제보] www.ytn.co.kr

[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]