(C) Lee Sang-min | The Guardian Nigeria News

SEOUL – In a final court hearing on Monday, the special prosecution team led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-seok demanded a 15-year prison sentence for former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. Lee is accused of playing a critical role in the "December 3 illegal martial law" incident, including allegedly ordering the cutting of power and water to media outlets.

During the hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court, the prosecution emphasized the gravity of the case. "Failure to strictly punish those involved in this insurrection could embolden future factions to attempt similar self-coups," the special prosecutor stated. "As a legal expert who served as a judge for 15 years, Lee's participation in an obviously unconstitutional martial law is a severe offense."

The prosecution’s case centers on Lee’s actions during the short-lived martial law declared by former President Yoon Suk-yeol in late 2024. Lee is charged with passing down orders to the National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency to cut off essential utilities to specific media organizations, including the Kyunghyang Shinmun. He is also accused of perjury during former President Yoon’s impeachment trial by denying these actions.

Evidence presented by the prosecution included Lee’s search history on a major portal site, which showed he had looked up "the Constitution" and "the Government Organization Act" on the day of the declaration. Furthermore, the prosecution noted that Lee’s mobile phone records and call logs with the former fire chief had been deleted or omitted, suggesting an attempt to conceal evidence.

In his final testimony, Lee denied the charges, claiming he was caught off guard by the declaration. "I felt like I had been hit by a hammer when I first heard about the martial law at the presidential office," Lee said. He defended his inaction by citing the power dynamic at the time, stating, "The President’s will was firm, and cabinet members are not on equal footing with him. I tried to dissuade him as much as I could."

Lee also clashed with the prosecution over the legal definition of his actions, mockingly describing the prosecution’s logic of equating martial law with insurrection as "creative." He argued that martial law is a constitutional emergency power of the President, distinct from the criminal act of insurrection.

The court's sentencing for Lee Sang-min is expected to serve as a landmark ruling regarding the accountability of high-ranking officials during the controversial 12-3 martial law incident.