▲ Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun
Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who was indicted on charges of delivering a list of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) personnel to former DIA Commander Noh Sang-won to form a special investigation unit for election fraud during the December 3 martial law declaration, will receive his first-instance court verdict next week.
The Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Agreement Division 21 (Presiding Judge Jo Soon-pyo), will hold the sentencing hearing for Kim on the 19th regarding charges of leaking military secrets under the Military Criminal Act and violating the Personal Information Protection Act.
Kim is accused of conspiring with then-DIA Commander Moon Sang-ho, Central News Agency Chief Kim Bong-gyu, and 100th Brigade 2nd Task Force Chief Jung Sung-wook between October and November 2024 to provide the list of approximately 40 individuals, including agents from the DIA's Special Mission Unit (HID), to former Commander Noh.
Investigations revealed that Kim and Noh intended to use this list to form a "Second Investigation Unit" to probe allegations of election fraud during the martial law situation.
Previously, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok requested a five-year prison sentence for Kim during the final hearing held on May 12.
Meanwhile, the Seoul High Court, Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Lee Seung-han), is also scheduled to deliver its appellate verdict on the 16th regarding the "West Sea public official killing" case, involving former National Security Office Director Suh Hoon and former Korea Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Hong-hee.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.