Court increases ex-spy chief's sentence over failed martial law bid
A Seoul High Court on Wednesday increased former National Intelligence Service director Cho Tae-yong's prison sentence from 18 months to two and a half years for engaging in political activity by making false statements about arrest orders after the brief 2024 martial law declaration tied to former president Yoon. The court found Cho had delivered false statements that no arrest order had been issued despite having received a report of an arrest order. The appellate ruling upheld a lower court acquittal on dereliction of duty but reinforces legal limits on intelligence personnel engaging in politics and raises questions about further legal steps.
Appellate court raised Cho Tae-yong's jail term to 2.5 years.
Context
In 2024 the president briefly declared martial law. The intelligence service was reported to have received an arrest order. The court increased the former spy chief's sentence and legal appeals could follow.
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