Ex-military unit commander sentenced to 12 years for role in coup attempt

A former commander of the South Korean Army's 707th Special Mission Battalion, Kim Hyun-tae, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a 2024 coup attempt. The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of charges including participating in a rebellion and leading troops to the National Assembly building during the period of martial law.

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We must impose punishments commensurate with the gravity of the incident to serve as a warning so that no one attempts or participates in a rebellion again.

The court's sentencing highlighted Kim's apparent lack of remorse and his continued public justification of martial law, even after his conviction. The ruling stated that Kim had "abandoned the sacred duty of national security and territorial defense and used military power, which should be used for the nation and its people, for the benefit of individuals and specific groups." The court emphasized the need for a severe punishment to serve as a warning against future attempts to overthrow the government.

Kim, who has since become a far-right YouTuber and even ran for a parliamentary by-election, was particularly criticized for "distorting facts and denigrating related parties through YouTube channels, thereby mocking the rule of law and the judicial system." This behavior stood in stark contrast to his former superior, Kwak Jong-geun, the former commander of the Special Warfare Command, who has maintained a consistent testimony about the events.

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He shows no sign of repentance in court, claiming martial law was justified, and is mocking the rule of law and the judicial system by distorting facts and denigrating related parties through his YouTube channel.

Two other former military officials also received sentences: Lee Sang-hyun, former commander of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, was sentenced to 10 years for his role in blockading the National Assembly, and Kim Dae-woo, former head of the counter-intelligence division at the Defense Counterintelligence Command, received a 5-year sentence for operating a political figure arrest team. All three were taken into custody immediately due to concerns about flight risk and evidence tampering.

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He used military power, which should be used for the nation and its people, for the benefit of individuals and specific groups.