Special counsel seeks 25-yr prison term for ex-justice minister over martial law role

韩联社 Yonhap正文已收录本站

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- A special counsel team on Tuesday sought a 25-year prison term for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae in his appellate trial over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made the request at the Seoul High Court, after a lower court sentenced Park to 25 years in prison in June on multiple charges, including playing a key role in an insurrection, which exceeded the team's initial recommendation of 20 years.

Park is accused of convening a meeting of senior ministry officials following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, to review follow-up measures, such as dispatching prosecutors to a martial law body.

"Instead of siding with the people and the rule of law, he sided with insurrection forces and aided a self-coup by becoming the hands and feet of Yoon Suk Yeol," Cho's team said.

This file photo, taken June 22, 2026, shows former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae appearing for his trial on insurrection charges at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)

This file photo, taken June 22, 2026, shows former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae appearing for his trial on insurrection charges at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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