Prosecutors Seek 20-Year Sentence for Choo Kyung-ho Over Obstruction of Martial Law Vote

The special prosecution team investigating the insurrection case on August 30 sought a 20-year prison sentence for Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho, who is charged with engaging in important insurrection-related duties for obstructing the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law during the December 3 emergency martial law declaration. The hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 34, presided over by Chief Judge Han Sung-jin.

Prosecutors argued that Mayor Choo carried out the task of preventing the National Assembly from voting to lift martial law as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection. They said that as the People Power Party's floor leader, Choo used his authority to convene the party caucus to lock in the votes of 108 party lawmakers and arrived simultaneously with martial law troops.

In their closing arguments, Choo's lawyers said he never received any request for cooperation from President Yoon Suk Yeol and denied all charges. In his final statement, Choo argued that he had not been informed of the martial law declaration in advance, had not participated in any conspiracy, and had never been asked to obstruct the vote.

The court will deliver its verdict at a sentencing hearing on November 18 at 2 p.m.