The Special Prosecutor's Office, led by Lee Myung-hyun, has requested a five-year prison sentence for Yoon Suk Yeol, the former president, who is accused of facilitating the escape of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop abroad.
During a hearing on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jo Hyung-woo, the prosecution made its sentencing request regarding Yoon's charges of aiding a fugitive and obstructing the exercise of rights.
During a hearing on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jo Hyung-woo, the prosecution made its sentencing request regarding Yoon's charges of aiding a fugitive and obstructing the exercise of rights.
The prosecution also sought three years in prison for former National Security Office chief Cho Tae-yong and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. Additionally, they requested two years for former Civil Service Ethics Secretary Lee Si-won, former First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jang Ho-jin, and former Deputy Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jung.
The Special Prosecutor's Office stated that the defendants "turned a blind eye to the truth and remained silent, conducting a formal review to send Lee Jong-seop as ambassador and mechanically processing the procedure to lift his travel ban." They characterized this as an "organized act of concealing the truth" rather than a series of individual coincidences.
Regarding Yoon, the prosecution argued that he "mobilized state power for personal and political purposes ahead of the general election, not only obstructing but also undermining the criminal justice process," asserting that he "completely violated the state's investigative authority." They added, "It is evident that appointing Lee Jong-seop as ambassador to facilitate his escape would disrupt the investigation by the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency, based on common sense."
Yoon was indicted for allegedly directing the appointment of Lee, a key suspect in the pressure on the investigation into the death of Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong, to the position of ambassador to Australia, intending to facilitate Lee's escape just four months after Chae's death in November 2023.
Cho is accused of being systematically involved in the appointment and departure process of Lee under Yoon's orders, while Park and Shim are charged with involvement in the process of lifting Lee's travel ban after his appointment as ambassador.
The Special Prosecutor's Office stated that the defendants "turned a blind eye to the truth and remained silent, conducting a formal review to send Lee Jong-seop as ambassador and mechanically processing the procedure to lift his travel ban." They characterized this as an "organized act of concealing the truth" rather than a series of individual coincidences.
Regarding Yoon, the prosecution argued that he "mobilized state power for personal and political purposes ahead of the general election, not only obstructing but also undermining the criminal justice process," asserting that he "completely violated the state's investigative authority." They added, "It is evident that appointing Lee Jong-seop as ambassador to facilitate his escape would disrupt the investigation by the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency, based on common sense."
Yoon was indicted for allegedly directing the appointment of Lee, a key suspect in the pressure on the investigation into the death of Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong, to the position of ambassador to Australia, intending to facilitate Lee's escape just four months after Chae's death in November 2023.
Cho is accused of being systematically involved in the appointment and departure process of Lee under Yoon's orders, while Park and Shim are charged with involvement in the process of lifting Lee's travel ban after his appointment as ambassador.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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