Cho Kuk Predicts Prosecution Sentences: "Life for Yoon, 35 Years for Kim Yonghyun... No Evidence Against Kim Keonhee in Rebellion Case"

Cho Kuk Predicts Sentencing for Key Figures in Yoon Administration's Martial Law Case
Based on Special Prosecutor's 15-Year Recommendation for Han Ducksoo
"Reasonable Suspicion Surrounds Kim Keonhee, But No Evidence"

Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, predicted the sentencing recommendations that the prosecution would seek for key figures of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration involved in the December 3 emergency martial law. On the 28th, through his social media account, Cho stated, "The prosecution is likely to seek life imprisonment for former President Yoon Seok-yeol, up to 35 years for former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, and up to 30 years for former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin."

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, predicted the sentences the prosecution will seek for key figures of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration involved in the December 3 emergency martial law. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Cho explained, "Based on the 15-year sentence sought for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, I have roughly estimated the sentences that will be recommended for the cabinet members of the Yoon administration who were involved in the rebellion." Regarding former Justice Minister Park Sungjae, he predicted a sentence of 20 to 25 years, noting that Park is not in custody due to disputes over the validity of the charges.

Concerning First Lady Kim Keonhee, Cho said, "There is reasonable suspicion that Kim Keonhee, who was 'V0', was also involved in the rebellion, but there is currently no evidence." He further argued, "The reason Yoon Seok-yeol suddenly said after the martial law that 'Kim Keonhee didn't know' was likely an attempt to protect the boss." Cho also mentioned, "In the case of former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seokki, he was indicted for conspiracy to commit rebellion and the prosecution sought a 20-year sentence."

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo appeared as a defendant on September 30 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, for a trial on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of a rebellion and perjury. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the 26th, the special prosecutor for the rebellion sought a 15-year prison sentence for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was indicted without detention on charges of aiding and abetting the illegal declaration of emergency martial law by former President Yoon. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 21. As Han's trial was the first among the December 3 martial law cases to conclude oral arguments, the court's first judgment on whether the December 3 emergency martial law constitutes rebellion is expected to be delivered in this verdict.

At the sentencing hearing held the same day at the Criminal Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan), the special prosecutor stated, "The December 3 emergency martial law was an act of terror against democracy. Compared to the rebellion 45 years ago, this caused far greater damage to the nation's dignity and inflicted an immeasurable sense of loss upon the people." The prosecutor continued, "As the second-in-command of the administration and as Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo was virtually the only person who could have prevented the rebellion," explaining the rationale for the sentencing recommendation.

Han's defense attorney argued, "The declaration of emergency martial law does not automatically constitute the crime of rebellion under the Criminal Act," and added, "Former Prime Minister Han was not aware of any specific acts of rebellion beyond the 'declaration' itself."

Meanwhile, the trial for former President Yoon Seok-yeol on charges of leading the rebellion is scheduled to conclude oral arguments by early January next year. The court plans to merge related cases and streamline witness examinations to expedite the proceedings. Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be delivered around February next year.