5 years sought for Lee Gwang-woo, 3 for Kim Shin; sentencing set for July 9

Prosecution says rule of law 'gutted'; Park Jong-jun apologizes to public

Former Presidential Security Service chief Park Jong-jun. [Yonhap]
Former Presidential Security Service chief Park Jong-jun. [Yonhap]

Special prosecutors have asked a court to sentence former Presidential Security Service chief Park Jong-jun to seven years in prison for obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant against former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The insurrection special prosecutor team made the sentencing request Sunday at Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26, presided over by Judge Lee Hyeon-gyeong, during closing arguments in Park's trial on charges including obstruction of official duties. Former security service deputy chief Kim Sung-hoon also faces a seven-year prison term, while former security headquarters chief Lee Gwang-woo and former family protection chief Kim Shin were sought sentences of five years and three years, respectively.

The prosecution said the defendants — who were in positions requiring strict adherence to constitutional warrant procedures and due process — instead mobilized the security service's personnel and material resources to physically block the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from executing the arrest warrant. "This went beyond obstructing the arrest of a single individual — it interfered with the judicial process aimed at uncovering the truth behind the insurrection and holding those responsible accountable," the team said, adding that the actions "gutted the rule of law and sought to undermine the constitutional order."

The prosecution said the presidential residence had become "an extraterritorial sanctuary where the insurrection ringleader hid and took refuge," and that the security service had "devolved into a private armed group shielding a criminal beyond the reach of the law." Prosecutors also said the defendants acted in an organized manner to protect the individual who declared illegal martial law. Their conduct, prosecutors said, was not a spontaneous reaction but a deliberate, planned effort carried out while closely monitoring the progress of the investigation.

Most of the defendants denied the charges. Park's defense acknowledged the general facts but argued he had been mistaken about the legality of the official duties being carried out and had no criminal intent. Kim's defense admitted to only some of the charges, while Lee and Kim said they had not conspired in advance with the other defendants.

In his final statement, Park said he and the security service had sought only to fulfill their assigned duties and responsibilities within the bounds of the law, with no intention of disregarding public authority or denying the court's authority in order to shield the president personally. "However, I am sincerely sorry for causing great confusion and concern to the public as a result," he said.

Park and the others are accused of blocking entry to the presidential residence and otherwise obstructing the CIO when it attempted to execute an arrest warrant against Yoon in January last year. Yoon, who was tried separately on the same charges, was found guilty at both the first and second trials. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9.


psj@heraldcorp.com