A dramatic courtroom decision adds a new chapter to South Korea’s 2024 political crisis. Observers say it could deter future abuse of power.
The former South Korean Minister of Justice, Pak Song-che, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a role that the court deemed decisive in the uprising connected to the attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare a state of emergency.
According to Yonhap, the verdict was handed down by the Seoul Central District Court, and it exceeded the maximum sentence requested by the investigative team led by Cho In-sok.
The court immediately remanded Pak in custody amid concerns about possible destruction of evidence.
Earlier, the investigative team charged him with playing a key role in the uprising and abusing his official powers by convening a meeting of senior Justice Ministry officials after Yoon declared a state of emergency on December 3, 2024.
The court found Pak guilty on both counts, noting that he intended to initiate discussions about directing prosecutors to the body supporting the declaration of a state of emergency and to explore the possibility of detaining suspects in correctional facilities during the state of emergency.
Additional charges and prior rulings
It is also known that former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Defense Minister Kim Yon-hyeon were found guilty of similar actions.
The court dismissed the malfeasance charges against Pak relating to violations of anti-corruption laws, noting that this fell outside the remit of the special prosecutor.
Prosecutors also brought charges of issuing improper orders to Yoon’s wife, Kim Kon-Hi, aimed at probing details of the investigation; these charges are being considered separately.
Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicate that on June 12, the Seoul court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison for ordering drone launches along the North Korean border and inciting a state of war in 2024.
In February this year, the former president was sentenced to life imprisonment for similar actions related to the attempt to declare a state of war in 2024.
In August last year, former First Lady Kim Kon-Hi was arrested on suspicion of bribery, stock fraud, and other crimes related to patronage and possible influence on the investigation.
The scandal surrounding sweeping decisions and pressure from high-ranking officials in this case underscores the severity of the 2024 political crisis in the country and the ongoing legal proceedings against other suspects related to these events.