Appeals court increases ex-spy chief's sentence to 2 1/2 years in martial law-linked trial

An appeals court on Wednesday upped the prison sentence of former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong to 2.5 years, in connection with charges stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 attempt to institute martial law. The Seoul High Court reached the decision after determining Cho guilty of engaging in political activities through false statements that Yoon did not order the arrest of politicians, following his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.

The National Intelligence Service Act prohibits agency personnel from participating in political activities.

A lower court had initially sentenced Cho to 18 months in prison following a conviction for perjury, but cleared him of most other charges, including dereliction of duty for allegedly failing to promptly notify the National Assembly about Yoon's plan to arrest politicians during martial law. The appellate court also dismissed the dereliction of duty charge, ruling it was uncertain whether Cho was obligated to inform the National Assembly once he learned of the plan.