Insurrection Special Prosecutor: "Noh Sangwon to Be Indicted by June 30... Evidence Must Be Preserved"

Noh Sangwon's Detention Period Expires on July 9
Special Prosecutor Kim Hyungsoo: "We Will Respond Swiftly to Maintain Prosecution"

The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating the insurrection case related to the December 3 Emergency Martial Law incident, has announced its intention to additionally indict former Military Intelligence Commander Noh Sangwon by June 30.

Former Intelligence Command Chief Sangwon Noh, accused of premeditating the emergency martial law on December 3 and drafting the proclamation, is being transferred to the prosecution by police vehicle on the 24th at the Seoul Western Police Station in Eunpyeong District, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

On June 26, Special Prosecutor Kim Hyungsoo attended the trial for former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun and others, who are charged with participating in key duties related to insurrection, at the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun), and made this statement.

Special Prosecutor Kim said, "The special prosecutor's office promptly filed an additional indictment against the defendant, Kim Yonghyun, and obtained an arrest warrant from the court, allowing the trial to proceed with the defendant in custody."

He continued, "The special prosecutor's office will make every effort to prevent destruction of evidence due to the expiration of the detention periods for related defendants, including by additionally indicting the other defendant, Noh Sangwon, by June 30. We also intend to respond swiftly to maintain the prosecution. We request that the court conduct the trial promptly and efficiently."

Noh's detention period is set to expire on July 9. He was indicted and detained on January 10 by the Special Investigation Headquarters for Emergency Martial Law on charges of participating in key duties related to insurrection and abuse of authority. Noh, who has been identified as a behind-the-scenes figure in the emergency martial law incident, is known to be a junior at the Korea Military Academy to former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun and to have worked with him during their military service.

Meanwhile, former Minister Kim was re-arrested about three hours before his release on the night of June 25. Kim, who was detained by the Special Investigation Headquarters for Emergency Martial Law in December last year, was scheduled to have his first trial detention period expire on June 26.

In response, the special prosecutor for insurrection filed additional charges against Kim for obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means and for instructing the destruction of evidence, and requested the court to issue an additional arrest warrant. The court issued the warrant for Kim at around 9:10 p.m. on June 25, citing concerns about the possible destruction of evidence.