The special counsel for insurrection sought a 15-year prison sentence for former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who was indicted on charges of participating in an insurrection by, among other actions, relaying orders to cut electricity and water to media outlets during the Dec. 3 martial law.
On the 12th, at the final hearing in the case against the former Minister on charges including engagement in important duties related to insurrection, held before the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 32 (Presiding Judge Ryu Kyung-jin), the special counsel for insurrection asked the court to hand down such a sentence.
Special Counsel Investigator Lee Yoon-je, presenting the final sentencing opinion, said, "This insurrection was a praetorian coup that mobilized the state's armed organizations, the military and police, and the defendant's role in former President Yoon Suk-yeol's coup plan was crucial," adding, "Former President Yoon sought to deceive the eyes and ears of the public to stay in power long-term by cutting electricity and water to media critical of the government and using pro-government media."
Lee continued, "As a former elite legal professional who served 15 years as a judge, the defendant could not have been unaware that cutting power and water was for media control and constituted a serious crime that could cause severe loss of life," adding, "Out of personal loyalty to former President Yoon and in pursuit of the power granted in return, the defendant betrayed the duties of the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who is responsible for the lives and safety of the people."
Regarding the former Minister's claim that no written instructions were ever received from former President Yoon, Lee said it was "a shabby and base excuse that makes even the listener feel ashamed," adding, "Because of lies, destruction of evidence, and perjury, the truth of the Dec. 3 martial law crisis—an episode that should serve as a lesson to later generations—is being distorted."
Lee said, "As a top-ranking official who has benefited from the Republic of Korea, the defendant has not reflected, and thought only of personal safety, concealing the truth during investigation and trial, damaging the historical record, and committing an unforgivable crime against future generations—this should be considered in sentencing," adding, "If we do not severely punish top-ranking participants in insurrection like the defendant as a warning to later generations, those plotting another anachronistic coup may stir again."
The former Minister was detained and indicted on Aug. 19 on charges of effectively abetting an illegal declaration of martial law by failing to stop it as Minister of the Interior and Safety, the ministry in charge of martial law in peacetime. He was also charged with sequentially participating in former President Yoon's insurrection crimes, including relaying orders to the Korean National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency to cut electricity and water to media outlets.
He is also accused of giving false testimony during the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial proceedings for former President Yoon in Feb. last year, to the effect that he never ordered power and water cuts and never received related instructions from the president.
After hearing the defense's closing argument and the defendant's final statement, the court is expected to announce the sentencing date.
This is the second time a sentencing recommendation has been presented among Yoon Suk-yeol administration Cabinet members indicted in connection with the Dec. 3 martial law, following the former prime minister. Earlier, the special counsel for insurrection also sought 15 years in prison for the former prime minister, who is charged with aiding the leader of the insurrection and engaging in important duties related to insurrection.