GWANGJU — The first-trial sentence handed to Jang Yun-gi, 23, convicted of murdering a high school girl, came under intense scrutiny at a parliamentary audit of the Gwangju High Court and lower courts under its jurisdiction. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but the trial court sentenced Jang to life imprisonment. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties pressed the court on whether life imprisonment without parole is possible under current law.
At the audit of the Gwangju High Court and the Gwangju District Court held at the district court on the 20th, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party questioned the practical effect of the first-trial ruling. "The court ruled on the grounds that keeping Jang permanently imprisoned without parole would console the bereaved family and prevent similar crimes," Yoon said. "But a life sentence does not legally bar parole, does it?" he added, calling for institutional safeguards.
Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also raised the debate over introducing life imprisonment without parole. "I ask the courts to also express their views on life imprisonment without parole," Seo said, adding that the National Assembly would take up the discussion. During her own round of questioning, she said, "I believe Jang should have been sentenced to death," adding that "whether it is carried out is a separate matter."
Rep. Park Jie-won of the Democratic Party emphasized the views of the victim's family and public sentiment. "One hundred thousand citizens have signed a petition calling for severe punishment of Jang," Park said. "The appellate court must fully take this sentiment into account so that the harshest penalty can be imposed."
Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek of the People Power Party referred to the scene of the victim's mother breaking down in tears immediately after the first-trial sentencing. "It is questionable whether the statements of the victim's family were sufficiently reflected in the first-trial sentence," he said. "The appellate trial must be strict and fair."
In response, Gwangju District Court Chief Judge Jang Yong-gi said, "I understand that the bereaved family's statements were sufficiently presented in court." On introducing life imprisonment without parole, he said it was "a very grave matter in terms of criminal policy" and "an issue that should be decided through legislative policy after gathering public opinion and expert discussion."
Seo also criticized the poor conditions of the courtroom where Jang's trial was held. "The courtroom holds only 13 people, making it difficult for spectators to properly hear the proceedings," she said.
The audit also took up the first-trial ruling in a fraud case involving more than 10 billion won tied to a local housing association in Sochon-dong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju. Rep. Park Kyoun-taek of the Democratic Party questioned the 11-year prison term given to the main perpetrator, asking whether the sentence was appropriate. "Hundreds of people have been stripped of the money they saved to buy a home and are weeping tears of blood," Park said. "Does this mean serving just one year for every 1 billion won defrauded?"
Chief Judge Jang said the case as a whole involved defrauding 539 association members of 18.8 billion won (about $13 million) collected as contributions. "The first trial ruled only on charges covering 234 members and 7.6 billion won in damages," he said. "No ruling has yet been issued on the remaining damages."