Special counsel prosecutors on Tuesday again asked an appeals court to sentence Lee Sang-min, former minister of the Interior and Safety, to 15 years in prison for allegedly taking part in insurrection-related acts during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
At the closing hearing in Lee’s appeal at the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 1, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok urged the court to impose the same 15-year term it sought at trial on charges including performing key duties in an insurrection. Arguments concluded Tuesday, leaving the court to rule.
Prosecutors said Lee played a central role in carrying out the alleged insurrection by relaying orders to cut electricity and water to media outlets. They argued the aim was to “completely paralyze” specific news organizations, block coverage critical of martial law and shape favorable public opinion.
Calling the case “terror against South Korea’s democracy,” prosecutors said insurrection is a grave crime that can draw heavy punishment even at the planning stage. They argued that the absence of casualties or the fact the alleged acts were not completed should not reduce the sentence, adding that strict punishment is needed to prevent a repeat.
Prosecutors also disputed Lee’s claims about intent, saying that as a former judge he was in a position to recognize the unconstitutionality and illegality of martial law but still participated. They cited his phone call with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on the day martial law was declared and said he remained at the presidential office with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, raising the possibility he knew of the plan in advance.
The special counsel team further alleged Lee denied the power-and-water cutoff orders to investigators and at the Constitutional Court and committed perjury. They also said he was uncooperative during the investigation and trial, which should be considered at sentencing.
Lee was indicted on allegations that he aided Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration and contacted former National Fire Agency Commissioner Heo Seok-gon and others to order electricity and water cutoffs targeting specific media outlets. Prosecutors also said that as the minister overseeing the government’s martial law-related administration, he failed to stop an illegal declaration and instead joined its execution.
In the first trial, the court sentenced Lee to seven years in prison, finding he took part in some acts as a member of an insurrection group. The court said responsibility could be recognized even if the power-and-water measures were not ultimately carried out.
The appeals court is expected to decide whether to increase the sentence in line with prosecutors’ request or uphold the lower court’s ruling.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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