South Korea’s ex-commanders jailed up to 18 years over martial law

SEOUL: Five ex-top South Korean military officials were sentenced to up to 18 years in prison on Monday for their part in the nation's brief martial law declaration in 2024. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed the emergency measure in December, ordering special forces and helicopters to the parliament building in an unsuccessful attempt to stop lawmakers from voting against it.

He also dispatched armed soldiers to the country's election commission to investigate alleged voter fraud. According to a court statement on Monday, Defense Counterintelligence Command chief Yeo In-hyung received the harshest sentence of 18 years, while Lee Jin-woo - the former head of the Capital Defence Command - was handed 15 years.

Prosecutors had asked for 30-year jail terms for both. Park An-su, who served as the martial law commander and was formerly Army chief of staff, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Moon Sang-ho, the former head of the Defence Intelligence Command who tried to take control of the National Election Commission, was given a 12-year sentence.

Kwak Jong-keun, the former chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, was given a nine-year sentence. All the accused officers denied the charges, claiming they were wrongly accused. In July, Kwak expressed deep regret for sending his beloved subordinates to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during martial law.

Kwak said it pained him to see them suffer after being deployed because of his misguided orders. Prosecutors said Yoon told Lee that military forces could use lethal force if necessary to enter the National Assembly. Yoon also instructed Lee to "drag out" politicians if necessary and directed Kwak to quickly enter the National Assembly since the quorum for lifting martial law had not been met.

Yoon was sentenced to life in prison for insurrection in February and is currently appealing his conviction.