Key facts
- Two former generals were acquitted of charges related to planning martial law.
- The court ruled that an intent to subvert the constitution was not proven.
- Six other former military officials were also acquitted.
A Seoul court on Friday acquitted two former generals accused of involvement in planning martial law at a fast-food restaurant. The Seoul Central District Court found Koo Sam-hoe and Bang Jeong-hwan not guilty of playing key roles in an insurrection in connection with a failed martial law bid by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The court ruled that the charges did not hold as an intent to subvert the Constitution was not proven. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team had sought seven-year prison terms for the two former Army brigadier generals, accusing them of receiving instructions at the burger joint six hours before Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024.
The court also acquitted six other former military officials indicted on charges for sending troops to the National Assembly, the election watchdog and an opinion polling agency during martial law, ruling that their intent to subvert the Constitution had not been proven.