Former South Korean Interior Minister Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison Over Martial Law Implementation Support

SEOUL. Former South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday for aiding in the implementation of the brief martial law declared by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2024.

The verdict against him came from a different judge at the same Seoul court. This announcement was made one week before the decision on the sedition case filed against President Yoon. Prosecutors are demanding the death penalty for the sedition charge against Yoon.

The court determined that Lee, who led the Ministry of Interior, assisted in the implementation of martial law, and also issued orders to the heads of police and fire services to cut off water and electricity to media outlets criticizing government policy. However, these directives were never implemented after the National Assembly members unanimously decided to lift the martial law, breaking the military and police blockade.

Lee, however, claimed that he had not received or issued any instructions to cut off utility services to the media. He rejected the testimony of officials including former Commissioner General of the National Fire Agency Heo Seo-geun, in which it was alleged that he gave such orders via phone. He also denied plotting or planning the declaration of martial law.

Judge Ryu Kyung-jin stated that the testimony of other officials, security camera footage, and available evidence clearly showed that Lee attempted to follow Yoon's orders. According to him, the fact that Lee played a significant role in implementing martial law is indisputable.

However, the court acquitted him of another charge related to abuse of power due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Following the verdict, Lee remained silent with a slight smile. His legal team has not yet commented on whether they will immediately appeal.

Lee is the second member of Yoon's cabinet to be convicted in the martial law case. Previously, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison, against which he has appealed.

Conservative leader Yoon defended the martial law as a necessary step for his administration. He accused liberal parties of obstructing his agenda using their legislative majority, calling them 'anti-state forces.'

Yoon was later removed from office and has been facing various criminal charges since being detained in July. Among these, the sedition charge is considered the most serious.