▲ (From left) Chung Eui-yong and Suh Hoon
Former Cheong Wa Dae National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong and former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Suh Hoon, who received a suspended sentence in the first trial for the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen, have been sentenced to imprisonment with a stay of execution in their appeal trial.
The 15-3 Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Sung Eon-joo, Won Ik-sun, and Lee Hee-joon) sentenced Chung and Suh to one year and six months in prison with a three-year probation today (October 21) on charges including abuse of authority under the National Intelligence Service Act.
Kim Yeon-chul, former Minister of Unification, who was tried alongside them, was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation.
However, former presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min was acquitted, with the court stating that it was difficult to see him as having conspired in the abuse of authority or having been involved in the decision to repatriate them.
Maintaining the same stance as the first trial, the appellate court ruled that North Korean residents are recognized as having the status of South Korean citizens and that the forced repatriation infringed upon the fundamental rights of the North Korean fishermen.
The court pointed out, "Despite the opinions of relevant officials that careful review was necessary because there was no legal basis, they decided on the repatriation just two days after the capture and executed it in a mere five days," adding, "This even caused North Korean residents who settled in South Korea to tremble with the fear of forced repatriation."
Chung and others were indicted on charges including ordering the forced return of two North Korean fishermen to North Korea in November 2019, despite their expressions of intent to defect, even though they were accused of murdering 16 fellow crew members.
They were also charged with preventing the fishermen from exercising their right to stand trial in accordance with domestic laws and procedures.
Previously, the first trial issued a stay of sentencing of 10 months in prison for each of Chung and Suh, and a stay of sentencing of six months in prison for each of Noh and Kim.
A stay of sentencing is a ruling that acknowledges guilt in minor criminal cases while deferring the imposition of a sentence.
While deeming their actions unlawful, the first court deferred the prison sentences in consideration of the heinous nature of the crimes committed by the North Korean fishermen and the institutional vacuum caused by the division of the two Koreas.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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