Ex-Justice Minister Gets 25-Year Sentence for Martial Law Role

A Seoul district court sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison Monday after finding him guilty of insurrection and abuse of power. The sentence exceeded the 20-year term sought by prosecutors. The court ordered Park into custody right after the ruling, citing concerns that he might destroy evidence.

The court accepted the prosecution's argument that Park called a meeting of senior ministry officials after the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. Officials reviewed dispatching prosecutors to a martial law-supporting body, checked correctional facility capacity, and directed officials handling travel bans.

" It dismissed separate anti-graft charges, ruling they fell outside the special counsel's mandate.

joins other Cabinet members previously convicted in connection with the same martial law case. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol received a life sentence in February and has appealed the ruling. The charges involving alleged orders given in May 2024 at the request of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife, Kim Keon Hee, concerning a prosecution investigation were not part of the current case.