South Korean Military Leaders Sentenced for 2024 Martial Law Attempt

The Seoul Central District Court handed down prison terms to five former senior officers for mobilizing troops during the illegal martial-law episode of 2024. Former Defense Counterintelligence Command chief Yeo In-hyung received 18 years, former Capital Defense Command head Lee Jin-woo 15 years, former Defense Intelligence Command chief Moon Sang-ho 12 years, former Martial-Law Commander Park An-su 10 years, and former Special Warfare Command chief Kwak Jong-geun nine years.

Military Commanders Sentenced to Prison for Deploying Troops to National Assembly and Election Commission; Former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung Gets 18 Years

In December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, ordering special-forces units and helicopters to the National Assembly and deploying armed soldiers to the National Election Commission to search for alleged voter-fraud evidence. A prosecution indictment report records that Yoon instructed senior officers that forces could fire if necessary to enter the Assembly and that they should “drag out” politicians if needed. On December 3, troops broke into the main building of the National Assembly and later entered the Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Japan Times

The court found that Yeo formed an “anti-state forces joint arrest squad” targeting roughly ten politicians, including then-Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and that he was aware of the unlawfulness of the martial-law purpose through multiple meetings with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Military Commanders Sentenced to Prison for Deploying Troops to National Assembly and Election Commission; Former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung Gets 18 Years

“It pains me deeply to see my subordinates suffering after being deployed because of my foolish orders at the time,” — Special Warfare Commander Kwak

Japan Times

President Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment for insurrection in February and is currently appealing the verdict. The five commanders have indicated they will decide whether to appeal after receiving the written judgments. Their sentences mark the most severe judicial response to the 2024 martial-law attempt and underscore the judiciary’s stance on preserving civilian control over the armed forces.

Military Commanders Sentenced to Prison for Deploying Troops to National Assembly and Election Commission; Former Defense Security Commander Yeo In-hyung Gets 18 Years