'Noh Sangwon, Key Figure in Martial Law Incident, Faces Additional Detention Over Evidence Tampering Concerns'

Six-Month Extension Granted Two Days Before Expiration
Will Remain in Custody During Special Prosecutor's Investigation
Special Prosecutor's Team to Focus Investigative Efforts on Insurrection Charges

The detention period for Sangwon Noh, former Capital Defense Commander, who has been identified as a "behind-the-scenes" figure in the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law incident, has been extended by seven days. The court accepted the special prosecutor's additional request for detention on charges of insurrection, resulting in Noh's detention being extended by six more months just two days before the expiration of his initial detention period for the first trial on insurrection charges. This means he will remain in custody during both the trial and the special prosecutor's investigation into the insurrection case.

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 on the 24th at the Seoul Western Police Station in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

The 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, which is presiding over Noh's trial, stated, "There are grounds and necessity for detention, including concerns about flight risk and destruction of evidence." The court accepted the special prosecutor's argument that, if Noh were released, there would be concerns about destruction of evidence, such as coordinating testimonies with accomplices.

Previously, the special prosecutor's team requested an additional detention period from the court on June 27, when they filed additional charges against Noh. Since the court has authority over the custody of already indicted defendants, the team only needed to request an extension of detention without filing a separate warrant. The special prosecutor's team also stated that, while Noh was a civilian, there were additional allegations that he obtained military intelligence to help form an investigative team regarding suspected election fraud.

Noh's initial detention period for the first trial was set to expire on the 9th. He was indicted and detained on January 10 by the Special Investigation Headquarters for Emergency Martial Law at the prosecution on charges of participating in major insurrection-related duties and abuse of authority. Noh is a junior from the Korea Military Academy to former Defense Minister Yonghyun Kim and had worked with him during their military service.

With Noh in custody, the special prosecutor's team is expected to focus its investigative efforts on the so-called "Noh Sangwon Notebook," which contains phrases such as "seizure" and "inducing North Korean attack," as they pursue charges of treason. The team is expected to concentrate its investigation on how Noh compiled the notebook and the suspicion that, prior to the declaration of martial law, he attempted to provoke a North Korean attack?possibly through methods such as drone infiltration into Pyongyang?in order to trigger war or armed conflict.