Former Special Forces Commander Sentenced to 12 Years for Plotting Coup

A former commander of the Army's 707th Special Mission Battalion, Kim Hyun-tae, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following a first-instance ruling for his role in a planned coup. On August 27, the Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of charges related to ordering his subordinates to infiltrate the National Assembly during a declared state of emergency on December 3.

The court, which handles rebellion cases, handed down the sentence, which was less than the 18 years sought by the special prosecutor's team. Kim's actions involved commanding troops to "blockade" the National Assembly, a critical move during the emergency declaration that aimed to disrupt governmental functions.

Other military officials also received substantial sentences. Lee Sang-hyun, a former commander of the 1st Airborne Special Brigade, was sentenced to 10 years for issuing orders to blockade the National Assembly. Kim Dae-woo, formerly of the Defense Security Command, received a 5-year sentence for his involvement in operating "politician arrest teams." Colonels Jeong Seong-wook and Kim Bong-gyu were each sentenced to 7 years for participating in the blockade of the Central Election Management Commission.

However, two individuals, former Defense Ministry Investigation Agency head Park Heon-soo and former Information Command planning chief Go Dong-hee, were acquitted. The court stated that the defendants "betrayed their sacred duty of national security" and "used military power, which should be for the nation and its people, for the benefit of individuals and specific factions."

“

The defendants betrayed their sacred duty of national security and used military power, which should be for the nation and its people, for the benefit of individuals and specific factions.