First-Instance Verdicts Imminent for Military Generals Implicated in Martial Law; Up to 30 Years Demanded

The first-instance rulings for military leadership indicted for deploying troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during the December 3 emergency martial law will be delivered today (September 21).

The 26th Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) will hold the first-instance sentencing at 3 p.m. today for former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung, former Capital Defense Commander Lee Jin-woo, former Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun, and former Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho on charges of engaging in important missions of an insurrection.

They were brought to trial on charges of deploying troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and organizing and operating arrest squads targeting politicians during the emergency martial law.

During the sentencing hearing last July, the independent counsel team rebuked them, stating, "As flag-rank officers in leadership positions representing the military, the defendants were well aware of what consequences their actions would bring to the nation, the military, the people, and service members." They added, "However, for personal glory and the acquisition and maintenance of monopoly power, they dragged the military into the insurrection and reduced it to private soldiers of the insurrectionist forces."

Consequently, the independent counsel demanded 30 years in prison each for former Commander Yeo In-hyung and former Commander Lee Jin-woo, 25 years in prison for former Chief of Staff Park An-su, and 20 years in prison each for former Commander Kwak Jong-keun and former Commander Moon Sang-ho.

However, most of the defendants pleaded not guilty, claiming there was no intent to subvert the Constitution or that they had never conspired on martial law.

Former Commander Yeo stated, "I acted prudently believing the martial law would soon be lifted," while former Commander Lee also emphasized, "I never gave instructions to drag out lawmakers or blockade the National Assembly."

In contrast, former Commander Kwak was the only one to admit to the charges, stating, "I deeply regret dispatching my beloved subordinates to the National Assembly and the Election Commission at the time of the emergency martial law proclamation."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.