A former police officer was sentenced to prison for leaking confidential information linked to the late actor Lee Sun Gyun's investigation.
According to the report from Allkpop, on November 3, the prosecution demanded a three-year prison sentence for a former police inspector, identified as "A," in his sentencing at the Incheon District Court presided over by Criminal Division 11 Judge Kim Saet Byeol.
The prosecution said it charged a man in his 30s, identified as "A," for leaking official secrets and other relevant offenses. The case has been in the spotlight because the late Parasite actor's high-profile drug investigation is closely related.
As reported on Naver, the ex-police officer purportedly leaked investigation-related documents last October 2023 by photographing confidential reports and transmitting them to a pair of journalists, including one referred to as "B.," among documents containing investigative information related to the Lee Sun Gyun case.
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The leaked documents contained personal information identifying individuals in the drug case, including names, criminal records, identities, and occupations. Ultimately, the information leaked to the public in December 2023 after the actor's death, which raised public frustration, privacy concerns, and ethical journalism concerns amid ongoing investigations.
After the leak was discovered, "A" was dismissed from the police force. He filed a lawsuit against the Incheon Police Chief for the annulment of his dismissal, but lost the case in the first trial.
A court official said the decision to request a prison sentence reflects how grave the situation is when public trust has been breached and sensitive legal information mishandled.
"The unauthorized release of investigative data not only violated confidentiality but also caused significant social repercussions," the statement indicated, according to Allkpop.
The final sentencing hearing for the former officer is scheduled for December 17 in the afternoon at the Incheon District Court. A ruling is expected to conclude one of the most controversial legal aftereffects surrounding the tragic case of Lee Sun Gyun, whose late 2023 death shocked both the Korean entertainment industry and the public alike.
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