Oh Sang-jong, head of the Liberty Korea Defense Guard, files a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against KCTU Chairman Yang Kyung-soo for the "insult to a foreign head of state." [Photo: Defense Guard]

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and others have been referred to the prosecution on charges of tearing a banner featuring the face of U.S. President Donald Trump in Gyeongju last October, where the APEC summit was being held.

The civic group Liberty Korea Defense Guard (Defense Guard, led by Oh Sang-jong), which had filed the complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Chairman Yang and others for the "insult to a foreign head of state" under Article 107 of the Criminal Act, announced on the 28th that the charges were recognized and the case has been forwarded to the prosecution.

In the complaint filed last October, Director Oh stated, "Chairman Yang's actions constitute a public insult to the U.S. head of state and a serious crime that damages diplomatic dignity," and added, "The same standard must be applied, as seen in the recent police investigation of participants from the youth group 'Liberty College' for tearing down a banner of the Chinese Ambassador in Myeong-dong."

He further emphasized, "While Liberty College tore the face of the Chinese Ambassador, Chairman Yang tore the face of the President of our closest ally, the United States. Considering the equity of the law, this is a matter that should be dealt with more severely."

Article 107 of the Criminal Act stipulates that anyone who insults a foreign head of state shall be punished by imprisonment or confinement for up to five years.

KCTU members wearing red vests are tearing a banner featuring the face of U.S. President Donald Trump. [YouTube Capture]

Reporter Lim Yo-hee