Prosecutors Seek 20-Year Sentence for Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho

Prosecutors have requested a 20-year prison sentence for Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho, who is accused of obstructing a vote to lift martial law on December 3, 2026.

The special investigation team for insurrection, led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok, made the request during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on September 30, 2026, presided over by Judge Han Sung-jin.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant actively carried out the task of preventing the National Assembly from voting to lift martial law, which was initiated by President Yoon Suk Yeol."

They added, "The success of the insurrection depended on the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law, and that vote hinged on the number of lawmakers, which was 151. To ensure that number was not met, President Yoon deployed martial law troops and police, and the defendant took the lead in binding the votes of 108 ruling party lawmakers." They emphasized that this was a necessary task for the success of the insurrection.

The prosecution further explained, "The defendant used the authority to convene a meeting of lawmakers, a power reserved for the floor leader, to keep the People Power Party members outside the main assembly hall. They did not retract the notice to gather until dawn, and even attempted to call back lawmakers who had entered the assembly hall, asking the Speaker to delay the session."

Regarding sentencing, the prosecution noted, "The defendant is in a position where they should communicate closely with the president while also exercising oversight. On the night of December 3, when President Yoon called directly, it was the defendant who should have told the president to lift martial law. However, they not only abandoned their oversight role but also took a step further into the insurrection."

They added, "While the Prime Minister and ministers were summoned to the presidential office or acted on the president's orders to participate in the insurrection, the defendant was not part of any command structure and had no one instructing them. Yet, within the National Assembly, where the constitution entrusted the authority to demand the lifting of martial law, the defendant misused that authority. Therefore, their responsibility is not light compared to others who have already received heavy sentences for participating in the insurrection."

Choo, who was the floor leader of the People Power Party during the martial law, is accused of obstructing the vote on the proposal to lift martial law by changing the location of the lawmakers' meeting multiple times at the request of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

In his closing argument, Choo's attorney stated, "The defendant has no recollection of receiving any request for cooperation from President Yoon and was unaware of the actual declaration of martial law. He was merely trying to gather opinions from lawmakers as the floor leader and denies all charges related to insurrection."

In his final statement, Choo asserted, "The special investigation team claims that I and President Yoon conspired to participate in the insurrection, but that is a complete distortion of the facts. I had no prior knowledge of the declaration of martial law and was not involved in any conspiracy. I also did not receive any requests from the president to block the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law or to prevent lawmakers from participating in the vote."

He added, "As the ruling party floor leader, I believed it was essential to gather lawmakers to accurately assess the situation and consolidate opinions. Looking back, I regret not communicating more carefully in such a tense and chaotic situation, but I absolutely did not intend to obstruct the vote."

The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on November 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. If Choo is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, he will be removed from his position as mayor under local government laws.