Ex-Military Officers Acquitted in 'Dec. 3 Martial Law Burger Meeting' Conspiracy Trial

A court has acquitted eight former military officers in the first trial on charges of complicity in insurrection, including former Army 2nd Armored Brigade Commander (Brig. Gen.) Goo Sam-hoe and former Defense Ministry Innovation Planning Officer (Brig. Gen.) Bang Jung-hwan, who were accused of attending the so-called "burger meeting" to plot the December 3 emergency martial law.

The 38th Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jung Soo-young) ruled today (October 30) that they had no prior knowledge of the declaration of emergency martial law, received only fragmentary appointments, and were unaware of the illegality of those appointments.

The court stated, "Although former Brigadier General Goo and former Brigadier General Bang could have learned about the declaration of emergency martial law and the issuance of decrees through the news, they could not know the personnel orders they would receive from their superior, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, nor their specific roles and connection to the insurrection," adding, "An intent to subvert the Constitution cannot be recognized."

The court also determined that the remaining six former military officers could not have recognized the unconstitutionality and illegality of the orders they received from superiors amid the urgent situation.

(Photo provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.