A man in his 30s who participated in the intrusion of the Seoul Western District Court in January of last year has been sentenced to prison in the first trial.

Judge Park Ji-won of the Seoul Western District Court, presiding over the 1st Criminal Division, sentenced the defendant, identified by his surname Yoon (31), to 10 months in prison today (July 10) on charges of special trespassing.

Yoon is accused of entering the premises of the Western District Court on January 19 of last year after an arrest warrant was issued for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and reaching the third floor of the courthouse through a broken window.

"If the authority of the court is not respected, those dissatisfied with court rulings will continue to engage in disputes," Judge Park noted. "This will ultimately lead to serious damage caused by unresolved social conflicts."

The judge further explained the sentencing, stating, "A stern punishment is inevitable to prevent such social harm."

However, Judge Park decided not to place the defendant under court custody, allowing him to prepare for an appeal.

(Photo: Yonhap News)