Rep. Ju Jin-woo tells former special warfare commander Kim Hyun-tae, sentenced to 12 years for insurrection: 'We are rooting for you'
A video has surfaced on Nov. 4 showing Rep. Ju Jin-woo of the People Power Party telling former Army Special Warfare Command 707th Special Mission Group commander Kim Hyun-tae, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison at his first trial on charges related to the Dec. 3 insurrection, "I am really rooting for you, and I know very well how much you are suffering." The video was posted on Nov. 4 on the YouTube channel 'True Soldier Kim Hyun-tae' under the title 'Defend Kim Hyun-tae (collection of messages of support).' The channel is known to have been operated by Kim's family and others since he was taken into custody by court order.
In the video, Rep. Ju said, "I am really rooting for you, and I know very well how much you are suffering," adding, "Please join us in pooling our strength to protect the free Republic of Korea. Thank you."
Also featured in the video was Ju Ok-sun, head of the group 'Mom's Corps.' "I've been so busy that I haven't even been able to write a letter, though I ought to visit him," Ju said, shouting, "Kim Hyun-tae, fighting!" Mom's Corps is an extreme-right, conservative-leaning group that has opposed the enactment of the Special Act on the Sewol ferry disaster and called for the removal of the 'Statue of Peace.' In addition, actor Cha Kang-seok, who defended the Dec. 3 insurrection, was also shown voicing support for the former commander.
Kim was brought to trial on charges including playing a key role in an insurrection and abuse of authority. On Aug. 27, Criminal Division 37-2 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Oh Chang-seop), the dedicated insurrection trial panel, sentenced him to 12 years in prison. The court found that the blockade of the National Assembly carried out by the 707th Special Mission Group under Kim's leadership was an unlawful act that infringed on the National Assembly's constitutional right to demand the lifting of martial law, and it condemned his attitude, noting that after being discharged he had distorted the facts on YouTube and shown no remorse.
Even after Kim's first-trial verdict, group videos of support have continued to surface. According to the Hankyoreh's reporting, the lawmaker's office was contacted to ask about the purpose of Ju's message of support but gave no reply, and his official position remains unconfirmed.
