Special Prosecutor for Insurrection Files Additional Charges Against Noh Sangwon and Requests Issuance of Arrest Warrant

Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, who is investigating the insurrection and treason cases related to the 12·3 Martial Law, has filed additional charges against Noh Sangwon, former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command, and requested the issuance of an additional arrest warrant.

Noh Sangwon, Former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On June 27, the Special Prosecutor for Insurrection announced to the media, "We have filed additional charges against Noh Sangwon for violating the Personal Information Protection Act, on suspicion of receiving military intelligence for the purpose of forming an investigative team to probe allegations of election fraud. We have also requested the consolidation of the trials to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25."

The prosecutor added, "We have also requested the consolidation of the trial for the charge of receiving bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, for which Noh Sangwon was indicted without detention on May 16 and is currently being tried in Criminal Division 10. In addition, we have submitted an opinion stating the necessity of issuing an arrest warrant."

For defendants already on trial, the court has the discretion to decide whether to issue an arrest warrant. Accordingly, the special prosecutor's office submitted an opinion requesting the issuance of an arrest warrant. According to the special prosecutor for insurrection, former Commander Noh is suspected of receiving personal information and other military intelligence about agents affiliated with the Army Intelligence Command from former Commander Moon Sangho and others, while he was a civilian, to select personnel for the formation of a second investigative team to probe election fraud allegations.

Previously, on January 10, the Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law indicted former Commander Noh on charges of participating in martial law (engaging in major insurrection duties and abuse of authority). On May 16, he was additionally indicted on charges of receiving money from active-duty soldiers in exchange for promotion requests.

Former Commander Noh is facing the expiration of his detention on July 9. The special prosecutor for insurrection has filed additional charges out of concern that, if released without restrictions, Noh may coordinate testimony or collude with accomplices.