A South Korean court sentenced former interior minister Lee Sang-min to seven years in prison for his role in ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol’s botched attempt to place the country under martial law in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court yesterday found Lee, 61, guilty of taking part in an insurrection by relaying instructions to police and fire agencies to cut power and water to media outlets.
He also committed perjury by denying he had taken these actions during Yoon’s impeachment proceedings, judge Ryu Kyung-jin said.
“Using physical force against media outlets critical of the government weakens public opposition to the insurrection, making it easier for the plot to proceed,” the judge said.
He is the second member of Yoon’s Cabinet to be sentenced for their role in the martial law declaration, after former prime minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in jail last month. — Reuters
