A South Korean court sentenced former Interior Minister, Lee Sang-min, to seven years in prison over his involvement in the country’s 2024 martial law crisis.
The court found Sang-Min culpable of the crime ruling that his actions led to a breakdown of democratic values and a contravention of the country’s laws, after which it gave the sentencing.
The convict, who served as interior minister at the time of the crisis, was accused of abusing his position to facilitate the crackdown, particularly against media organizations perceived as hostile to the administration during the emergency period.
The conviction stems from events surrounding the sudden declaration of military rule by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, when armed troops were deployed to the National Assembly in Seoul and civilian authority was temporarily suspended, triggering nationwide outrage and political upheaval.
The sentence, delivered at the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday, was taken after the judges had stated that the offender’s actions were aimed at overturning constitutional order strike at the heart of democracy and must attract stiff penalties.
The court found that Sang-min also ordered the National Fire Agency to cooperate in shutting down electricity and water supply to targeted media outlets, a move the judges said directly supported the imposition of martial law as well as being found guilty of perjury for previously denying, under oath, that he had issued such instructions.
Following the ruling, judicial authorities reaffirmed that accountability for actions taken during the martial law episode would be pursued without exception, stressing that public office holders are bound by law even during periods of national emergency.
Meanwhile, former President Yoon is expected to appear in court on February 19 to answer charges of insurrection linked to the same crisis. The offence carries the possibility of capital punishment under South Korean law.
Yoon, 65, was impeached by parliament and formally removed from office in April last year, as the country continues to grapple with the legal and political fallout from the brief but controversial suspension of democratic rule.
