Kim Hyun-tae, former 707th Special Mission Group commander, sentenced to 12 years in prison at first trial; taken into custody in court

[Financial News] Former military officers who were put on trial for allegedly leading troops into the National Assembly and other sites during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration received heavy prison sentences at first instance. Kim Hyun-tae, the former commander of the 707th Special Mission Group, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for deploying troops from the unit to the National Assembly.
The Criminal Division 37-2 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judges Oh Chang-seop, Ryu Chang-seong and Jang Seong-hoon, sentenced Kim to 12 years in prison on the 27th on charges including participating in an insurrection-related duty.
Lee Sang-hyun, the former commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade, received 10 years in prison, while Kim Dae-woo, the former head of the investigation unit at the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC), was sentenced to five years. Kim Bong-gyu, the former head of the central reporting unit at the Intelligence Command, and Jeong Seong-uk, the former head of the 2nd project unit of the 100th Brigade under the Intelligence Command, each received seven years.
Among the defendants who were found guilty, those who were not already detained were taken into custody in court over concerns they might flee or destroy evidence.
By contrast, Park Heon-su, the former head of the Defense Ministry's investigation headquarters, and Ko Dong-hui, the former head of planning at the Intelligence Command, were acquitted.
For the defendants found guilty, the court said, "They abandoned the sacred duty of safeguarding national security and used military power for the benefit of individuals and specific factions." It added, "In a liberal democratic state, punishment proportionate to the seriousness of an insurrection that cannot be tolerated is necessary to send a warning so that they will never again attempt or join such acts."
In particular, the court said of Kim, "He put elite troops on helicopters, sent them into the National Assembly and directly commanded the blockade on site." It also criticized him, saying, "He showed an attitude that mocked the rule of law and the judicial system by failing to reflect, distorting the facts through his YouTube channel, and blaming those involved."
As for Park, who was accused of taking part in the operation to arrest politicians, the court found him not guilty, saying it was difficult to conclude that he actively directed the mission or shared the intent to neutralize the National Assembly.
Ko, who was involved in securing the server room at the National Election Commission, was also acquitted because the court found it difficult to conclude that he carried out his duties with the intent to join the riot or with knowledge of a purpose to undermine the constitution.
Kim and Lee were indicted on charges of deploying troops to the National Assembly during martial law and taking part in the blockade and entry operation. Kim Dae-woo was charged with involvement in the operation to arrest politicians, while the Intelligence Command defendants were accused of taking part in plans to occupy the NEC and arrest staff.
 
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