Three men in their 20s who mocked and threatened a police officer at a protest site at the Olympic Park vote-counting station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, in June have all been sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Seoul Dongbu District Court sentenced three men—a 25-year-old surnamed Park, a 23-year-old surnamed Kim, and a 24-year-old surnamed Kim, who faced charges of special obstruction of official duties—to six months in prison each.

The court stated, "Obstruction of official duties is a crime that neutralizes the legitimate exercise of public authority and threatens the physical safety of public officials, making strict punishment necessary."

They were charged with shouting "fake police" at a police officer during the Jamsil vote-counting station protest in June and surrounding the officer along with other participants to pose a threat.

The court explained, "They shouted loudly that [the officer] was impersonating the police, gathered protest participants, repeatedly prevented the victim police officer from moving, and mocked him," adding, "Given the circumstances and details of the crime, the nature of the offense is severe."

Regarding the 24-year-old Kim, who had denied conspiracy with the other defendants and intent, the court ruled, "The victim police officer was wearing his work uniform, a work hat, a vest with a name tag attached, and holding a walkie-talkie in his hand, and he had informed the defendant of his affiliation, rank, and name. Therefore, the defendant was fully aware or could have been aware that the victim was a police officer."

The court also stated, "If he had truly suspected police impersonation, he could have verified whether [the officer] was real by calling 112, but he took no such measures at all."

The court noted, "The victim police officer suffered considerable fear and psychological pressure due to this crime and has petitioned for strict punishment, making a penalty commensurate with his responsibility inevitable."

However, the court explained that it partially took into account the fact that family members and acquaintances petitioned for leniency.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Eui-seon | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News