The special prosecutor's team, investigating alleged sedition, has requested a three-year prison sentence for former National Defense Intelligence Agency Commander Noh Sang-won. This marks the first time the special prosecutor has submitted a sentencing request in court since the sedition investigation began in June. If the sentence is finalized next month, it will be the first verdict in a sedition-related case.

The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-bok) held the final hearing for former Commander Noh on the 17th, hearing the final arguments from the special prosecutor and the defense. Former Commander Noh is on trial along with former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, facing charges including violation of the Personal Information Protection Act, bribery for solicitation under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Crimes, and engaging in sedition-related important duties and obstruction of the exercise of rights through abuse of power.

In court, the special prosecutor stated, "Despite being a civilian, the defendant used his former position as intelligence commander to collect Grade 3 military secrets, including the real names, birthplaces, educational backgrounds, and special skills of intelligence agency personnel, and received money and valuables under the pretense of lobbying for promotions." The prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence, a fine of 23.9 million won, and the confiscation of 11 department store gift certificates. The special prosecutor argued that this information was used in the selection of personnel for the second investigation unit and in the preparatory stages of sedition.

According to the indictment, former Commander Noh was involved in the formation of the second investigation unit in November 2024 under the guise of investigating alleged election fraud. He is accused of receiving lists of operatives from active-duty officers and of receiving 15 million won in cash and gift certificates worth 6 million won from Colonel Kim last year, and 5 million won in cash from former Brigade Commander Koo Sam-hoe.

On the other hand, former Commander Noh's defense argued for innocence, stating, "The list was handed over under the direction of Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and there was no independent intent or illicit purpose." The defense countered, "The defendant was merely a messenger, and neither the intent to leak personal information nor a quid pro quo for receiving money and valuables has been established."

The sedition special prosecutor's team has been pursuing the prosecution for approximately five months since indicting military and intelligence officials, including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, in June. This is their first sentencing request. The court has set the sentencing date for December 15th at 2 PM.

Meanwhile, legal circles are paying attention to the fact that this sentencing request comes at the apex of the alleged "sedition scenario," which follows the chain of "former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun's testimony -> former National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Hong Jang-won's memo -> Noh Sang-won's notebook."

This is because, despite the special prosecutor extensively publicizing the contents of the notebook, the evidential value of Noh Sang-won's notebook in court remains unconfirmed. While some reports suggest the court did not accept it as evidence, this has not been officially confirmed.

As the Noh Sang-won case is the first sedition-related trial scheduled for a verdict, attention is focused on how the court will assess the admissibility and legal significance of this notebook.

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