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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

Ex-special forces commander jailed for 12 years; supporter declares him 'General'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Former Army special forces commander Kim Hyun-tae was sentenced to 12 years in prison for leading troops into the National Assembly during the 1979 martial law period.
  • A far-right YouTuber, Jeon Han-gil, declared Kim a 'General' upon his arrest and urged followers to donate to Kim's family.
  • The court criticized Kim for his unrepentant attitude and for mocking the legal system through his continued defense of the martial law and claims of election fraud.

Kim Hyun-tae, the former commander of the Army's 707th Special Mission Battalion, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in leading troops into the National Assembly during the 1979 martial law period. The sentence was handed down by the Seoul Central District Court on charges including conspiracy to commit rebellion and abuse of power.

Since he was arrested, we will call him General from now on.

— Jeon Han-gilDeclaring Kim Hyun-tae a 'General' during a YouTube broadcast after his sentencing.

Following the sentencing and Kim's subsequent arrest, a far-right YouTuber named Jeon Han-gil, who has been a vocal supporter of Kim, declared that Kim had been promoted to 'General' upon his detention. During a YouTube broadcast, Jeon, along with former Chungbuk Province Governor Kim Young-hwan, insisted on referring to Kim Hyun-tae as 'General Kim Hyun-tae,' urging viewers to embrace this new title.

Jeon also encouraged viewers to provide financial support to Kim's family, framing it as a way to assist them during his incarceration. He suggested that donations, referred to as 'voluntary subscription fees,' would be used to support Kim's family and cover legal expenses. Kim's lawyers, who also represented former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, appeared on Jeon's broadcast to provide Kim's detention number and solicit letters from supporters.

Do you agree that we appoint him as General in the name of our people?

— Kim Young-hwanAsking Jeon Han-gil during the broadcast.

The court strongly criticized Kim Hyun-tae's conduct, particularly his continued defense of the martial law and promotion of election fraud theories through various online platforms. The judge stated that Kim displayed an "unrepentant attitude" and "mocked the rule of law and the judicial system."

I agree. We will now call him General Kim Hyun-tae.

— Jeon Han-gilResponding to Kim Young-hwan's question.

Kim Hyun-tae was reportedly sent to Seoul Detention Center, where former President Yoon Suk-yeol is also held. Jeon and Kim had previously collaborated on YouTube broadcasts advocating for the martial law and alleging election fraud, and Jeon had also assisted Kim's election campaign in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election.

He showed an unrepentant attitude and mocked the rule of law and the judicial system.

— Seoul Central District CourtCriticism of Kim Hyun-tae's behavior during the sentencing.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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