'LotteRia Martial Law Simulation' Sangwon Noh to Receive First Trial Verdict Today

[Financial News] The first trial verdict for former Defense Intelligence Command chief Sangwon Noh, who is accused of receiving personal information of Defense Intelligence Command agents during the December 3 Martial Law, will be delivered on the 15th. This marks the first conclusion among the cases prosecuted by the special prosecutor for insurrection.
According to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Hyunbok Lee) scheduled the first trial verdict for Sangwon Noh, who was indicted for violating the Personal Information Protection Act and receiving bribes for influence peddling, for today.
Sangwon Noh is accused of leveraging his connections with military personnel to solicit money from Colonel Kim of the Defense Intelligence Command and the Commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, Republic of Korea Army, promising them promotions. He allegedly received 20 million won in cash and department store gift certificates worth 6 million won. He is also charged with obtaining military intelligence under the pretext of investigating election fraud in order to help form the 2nd Investigation Division.
At last month’s final hearing, the special prosecutor team requested a three-year prison sentence and a forfeiture of 23.9 million won for Sangwon Noh, as well as the confiscation of 11 seized department store gift certificates. The special prosecutor stated, “Although the defendant is a civilian, he used his status as a former commander to collect sensitive information such as real names, educational backgrounds, and specialties of agents at the forefront of national security through current commanders and colonels.” The prosecutor emphasized, “This was not a simple leak of personal information, but a premeditated and executed act of insurrection that created a national crisis.” The prosecutor also pointed out that there were specific instructions, such as excluding those from the Honam region.
Regarding the bribery charges, the special prosecutor argued, “This is a serious crime that fundamentally undermined the fairness of the military personnel system. The retired general flaunted his influence, demanded bribes, and even involved these individuals in Martial Law, making the nature of the crime extremely egregious.”
In contrast, Sangwon Noh’s defense argued that there was no quid pro quo for the money received and questioned the credibility of the provider’s testimony. In the closing statement, the defense said, “The provider is making malicious claims to highlight that the defendant was not involved, believing he was implicated in the insurrection because of the defendant.” The defense further asserted, “The defendant is a civilian with no authority over the assignment or selection of 2nd Investigation Division agents.”
This case was reviewed by merging the bribery charges prosecuted by the Prosecutors' Martial Law Special Investigation Headquarters and the additional indictment for violating the Personal Information Protection Act by the special prosecutor team.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter