Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun received a 30-year prison sentence for conspiring with ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol to declare emergency martial law on December 3. The ruling aims to address charges of inciting riots to disrupt National Assembly operations. Immediately after the verdict, Kim displayed a massive protest banner at the Seoul Central District Court hearing.
Sentencing Hearing Details
The sentence came from Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Ji Gu-i-yeon. Kim’s legal team expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome by presenting the large banner during the proceedings. This action highlighted his defiance following three decades in politics.
Court’s Key Findings
Judges determined that military forces entered and blockaded the National Assembly, while arrest teams targeted key politicians, all under Yoon’s final approval and Kim’s direct orders. The court emphasized that these actions formed a connected series of riotous behaviors.
‘The martial law declaration, public notices, National Assembly blockade, politician arrest operations, attempted occupation of the National Election Commission, and half-hearted document seizures all qualify as part of a single riotous event.’
The bench noted Kim’s role in encouraging Yoon’s irrational decisions. Despite lacking formal authority or presidential directives in some cases, he mobilized troops proactively for National Assembly incursions, election commission takeovers, and arrests of opposition figures.
Assessment of Kim’s Role
Officials highlighted that Kim, at 65 and with a distinguished military career, wielded substantial influence beyond mere compliance. The court rejected claims of simple order-following, viewing his preparations as evidence of deeper involvement. Prosecutors described him as actively promoting Yoon’s flawed judgment.
‘We consider the greatest risk factor to be real accountability for military operations, with much of the planning turning into actual execution. Even without direct orders, independent troop movements occurred.’
The ruling factored in Kim’s age and background but prioritized the gravity of his contributions.
Prosecution Demands in Related Cases
Prosecutors seek life imprisonment for Yoon Suk-yeol as the operation’s leader and 18 years for No Sang-won, former Defense Intelligence Commander implicated in shadow martial law activities. Kim’s defense team later stated regret over ignoring frontline soldiers’ genuine sentiments, noting they anticipated better outcomes by following service protocols.
