Former Fire Officials Face 5-Year Sentences for Alleged Media Blackouts

Former fire officials have been sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly relaying orders to cut off power and water to major media outlets under the direction of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min during the December 3 martial law. The Special Prosecutor's Office emphasized the need for severe punishment, stating that the fire organization, which is supposed to protect the lives and safety of citizens, was mobilized to undermine constitutional order.

During a ruling on November 9 at the Seoul Central District Court, the Special Prosecutor's Office requested a five-year sentence for Heo Seok-gon, the former head of the Fire Agency, and Lee Yong-pal, the former deputy head, on charges of important duties related to insurrection.

The Special Prosecutor criticized the fire officials for failing to reject the unlawful orders. "The 60,000 firefighters enter the flames every day. If only there had been the courage to say 'no' to the unjust command that day, the three characters of the Fire Agency written in the presidential document would have lost their power right there," they pointed out.

They added, "The constitutional order is not destroyed by a few instigators. It is carried out by the hands of many who, out of necessity, receive orders and pass them down. The defendants' actions handed over the fire agency, which is supposed to protect the lives and safety of the people, to insurrection."

The Special Prosecutor also stated, "Freedom of the press is the lifeblood of democracy. Citizens ran to the National Assembly, and lawmakers entered because of the media."

Heo is accused of receiving orders from Lee to cooperate with police in cutting off power and water to major media outlets, including MBC, JTBC, Hankyoreh, and Kyunghyang Shinmun, shortly after the declaration of martial law. He allegedly relayed these orders to Lee, who then contacted the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters to request cooperation from the police regarding the proclamation.

Heo's defense team acknowledged receiving the orders but denied instructing lower-level officials to implement them. In closing arguments, Heo stated, "I have never issued illegal orders regarding the power and water cut-off to specific media outlets or police deployment. If there were shortcomings in meeting the public's expectations, it is entirely my fault as the head of the Fire Agency." He pleaded for the court to consider the sincerity of himself and the fire organization in fulfilling their duties even during a national emergency.

Lee expressed regret, saying, "I should have thought more deeply and acted more cautiously. I apologize for not doing so. Even if there were mistakes, please consider my long service in responding to numerous disaster sites, including the Sewol ferry disaster."

The court also heard arguments regarding the legality of the Special Prosecutor's indictment. Lee's defense claimed that the Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's Office had no right to prosecute since the Insurrection Special Prosecutor's Office had already handled the case without further consultation. They argued that the indictment was invalid, stating, "Considering the circumstances under which the Insurrection Special Prosecutor's Office dismissed the case, this indictment is a false public document. Canceling the indictment before the sentencing date would be the first step in correcting the Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's error."

The court asked the Comprehensive Special Prosecutor about their consultation with the Insurrection Special Prosecutor, and they stated they would confirm the details and submit a written opinion.

Previously, the Insurrection Special Prosecutor's Office indicted Lee for passing on orders from former President Yoon Suk-yeol to cut off power and water to media outlets, which was upheld in both the first and second trials and is currently awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court. The Insurrection Special Prosecutor's Office also investigated Heo and Lee but concluded the case without indictment. The Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's Office later reopened the case against both individuals on charges related to important duties concerning insurrection.