ex-military officials-martial law

SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court on Friday acquitted two former generals accused of involvement in martial law planning at a fast-food restaurant hours before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration in late 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Koo Sam-hoe, former commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, and Bang Jeong-hwan, former head of the defense ministry's defense innovation planning, not guilty of playing key roles in an insurrection in connection with Yoon's failed martial law bid.

The court ruled 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 from a retired former intelligence commander at the burger joint in Ansan, south of Seoul, six hours before Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024.

While Cho's team accused the two of being instructed to investigate allegations of election fraud, the court ruled that they appeared to have not been aware of specific plans, adding they did not receive any documents related to the alleged missions.

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.

The court found them not guilty, ruling that their intent to subvert the Constitution has not been proven.

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