Prosecutors seek 2-year prison term for woman who spat on police at Jamsil ballot-counting protest

Prosecutors have asked a court to sentence a woman in her 40s to two years in prison for assaulting and insulting a police officer and a fellow protester at a demonstration outside the Jamsil ballot-counting center.

According to Yonhap, prosecutors made the sentencing request Tuesday at the first hearing in the case of the defendant, identified only as Kim, 45, before Judge Lee Ji-min of Seoul Eastern District Court's Criminal Division 9.

Kim was the first protester at the ballot-counting center demonstration to be indicted in detention, on July 7.

"She assaulted and insulted police officers and repeatedly attacked another protester she had no prior acquaintance with — her conduct was of poor character," prosecutors said, adding that they had factored in mitigating circumstances such as depression in arriving at the two-year request.

According to prosecutors, Kim repeatedly picked fights with and assaulted other demonstrators on June 22 and 23, when the protest outside the ballot-counting center was at its height. When other protesters and police intervened, she shouted profanities at them and spat on them.

She also faces charges of obstructing the performance of official duties after approaching an officer on patrol, asking "Aren't you Chinese police?" while attempting to film him, and spitting in his face twice after being stopped.

A total of five people were identified as victims, including fellow protesters and police officers.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Kim on June 25, citing a risk of flight and the possibility of reoffending.

Kim's defense attorney said she acknowledged all charges and was remorseful, adding that she had joined the rally because she felt she could not ignore what she saw as the public's suffering over infringements on their right to vote, and that the offenses were unplanned and arose from a misunderstanding at the scene.

The attorney went on to say that Kim had a mental illness and was in a state of extreme anxiety and agitation at the time of the offenses, asking the court to take into account that she had admitted to the acts, was deeply reflecting on them, and was working toward a settlement with the victims.

Kim wiped away tears as her attorney spoke.

Meanwhile, a video that circulated online at the time showed the officer who had been spat on by Kim slapping her in the face immediately afterward.

Kim's next hearing is scheduled for the morning of Sept. 29.