South Korean Special Counsel Finds Evidence of 2024 Martial Law Planning and Appeals Former First Lady's Sentence
A special counsel team in South Korea announced findings of military preparations for martial law dating back to the first half of 2024. The team also appealed a four-year prison sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee on corruption charges. The developments stem from investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's actions.
P.Cps1120a / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)A special counsel team in South Korea announced on May 4, 2026, that it found signs a military unit was making preparations for martial law operations in the first half of 2024. The preparations occurred well before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024.
Assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi stated during a briefing that the Defense Counterintelligence Command prepared for martial law since the first half of 2024.
Kim Ji-mi made the statement at a briefing held at her team's office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. The special counsel team is tasked with investigating allegations surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his failed bid to impose martial law. These allegations cover matters not addressed by previous special counsels.
A briefing photo of Kim Ji-mi was taken on March 30, 2026. Separately, the special counsel team announced on May 4, 2026, that it challenged an appeals court ruling sentencing former first lady Kim Keon Hee to four years in prison on corruption charges. The Seoul High Court issued the ruling on Tuesday.
The Seoul High Court raised Kim Keon Hee's sentence from 20 months to four years in prison. The court found Kim Keon Hee partially guilty of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme. The court also found her guilty of accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team sought a 15-year prison term for Kim Keon Hee. The special counsel team indicted Kim Keon Hee on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act. The team also indicted her on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation.
The special counsel team appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court to dispute the appellate court's acquittal of Kim Keon Hee on charges of violating the political fund law for allegedly receiving free opinion poll results from a self-proclaimed power broker.
Kim Keon Hee's lawyers appealed the ruling. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee spoke during former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae's trial at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul.
A photo of Kim Keon Hee speaking was taken on April 13, 2026. The photo was provided by the Seoul Central District Court.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-05-04
Special counsel team announces findings of martial law preparations since early 2024 and appeals Kim Keon Hee's four-year prison sentence.
2 sourcesyna.co.kr · Yonhap - Tuesday (prior to 2026-05-04)
Seoul High Court issues ruling sentencing Kim Keon Hee to four years in prison, raising it from 20 months.
1 sourceYonhap - 2026-04-13
Photo taken of former first lady Kim Keon Hee speaking during former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae's trial at Seoul Central District Court.
1 sourceYonhap - 2026-03-30
Photo taken of assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi during a briefing.
1 sourceYonhap - 2024-12
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law.
1 sourceyna.co.kr - First half of 2024
Defense Counterintelligence Command begins preparations for martial law.
1 sourceyna.co.kr
Potential Impact
- 01
Appeals from both sides could prolong legal proceedings surrounding corruption allegations.
- 02
Investigation into martial law preparations may lead to further charges against figures linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
- 03
Findings on early martial law plans might influence public perception of Yoon's administration actions.
Transparency Panel
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