A man in his 30s who broke into broadcaster Park Na-rae's home and stole valuables worth tens of millions of won appealed for leniency in the appeals trial citing financial circumstances, but Park Na-rae's side maintained a zero-tolerance principle.
During the public trial held on the 29th at the 2-1 Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Appeals), Mr. Jeong, who was indicted on charges of theft and nighttime residential burglary, acknowledged all charges and bowed his head. Mr. Jeong was sentenced to 2 years in prison in the first trial but appealed against it.
On this day, Mr. Jeong pleaded in his final statement, "Please give me a chance to return to society early and compensate the victims with the money I earn through hard work." He stated, "I will strive to recover all damages, including those who suffered from the sale of stolen goods," and requested consideration for his efforts to repay victims of fraud before his arrest.
However, the victim's side was firm. Mr. Jeong stated, "I inquired about the possibility of a deposit and settlement through the victim (Park Na-rae)'s lawyer, but was rejected." It is reported that Park Na-rae's side is seeking severe punishment for the defendant while refusing any settlement or receipt of the deposit.
Mr. Jeong is accused of breaking into Park Na-rae's home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in April last year and fleeing with high-value goods. He has already disposed of the stolen items and stated during the investigation, "I did not know it was Park Na-rae's house at the time of the crime." Notably, Mr. Jeong has a history of being arrested for theft in nearby houses just before this crime at the end of March and was revealed to be on probation for a fraud case.
The court is expected to make a ruling considering the defendant's appeal and the victim's lack of desire for punishment. As Park Na-rae's side continues to refuse settlement, attention is focused on the outcome of the appeals trial.
