Seo Hoon, former Director of National Security (left), and Kim Hong-hee, former Commissioner-General of the Coast Guard [Joint Press Corps] 

Prosecutors have requested prison sentences in the appellate trial for Seo Hoon, former Chief of Staff for National Security at the Blue House, and Kim Hong-hee, former Commissioner-General of the Coast Guard, who were acquitted in the first trial in connection with the West Sea public official shooting incident. The sentencing date has been set for the 16th of next month.

The West Sea public official shooting incident refers to the case in September 2020 where a Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries official, Lee Dae-joon, went missing in the West Sea and was subsequently found and shot dead by North Korean forces.

During the final hearing held on the 19th at the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Lee Seung-han), prosecutors requested sentences of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment for Seo, who faces charges including abuse of power, and 2 years imprisonment for Kim.

Prosecutors stated, "This case involves national agencies deceiving the bereaved family and the public, making severe punishment highly necessary," and pointed out, "Despite this, Seo Hoon, the ultimate decision-maker and responsible party who planned and led the cover-up to avoid public criticism, denies the charges despite his grave culpability."

They added, "Although Kim Hong-hee held the position of Commissioner-General of the Coast Guard, he prepared and distributed a false press release under the direction of the National Security Office, damaging the honor of the bereaved family. Nevertheless, he denies the charges and shows no remorse."

Lawyers for Seo and Kim argued that the investigation results announced by the government at the time could not be considered false.

The argument is that if the findings were not false, then the charge of distributing a false press release under the pretense of searching for Lee Dae-joon while hiding the fact of his shooting could not be established.

In his closing statement, Seo stated, "The prosecution indicted us with suspicion, but at the time, the government acted to confirm the full details of the incident and take necessary measures as quickly as possible," adding, "I had no political intentions before the unfortunate death of a citizen, and we responded transparently without any distortion."

Kim also said, "I hope the original acquittal ruling is upheld. I had no intention of damaging the honor of Lee Dae-joon, who served his life at sea, or his family."

Lee Rae-jin, the elder brother of Lee Dae-joon, appealed to the court, stating in court on this day, "There are several issues with the first trial ruling. I implore you to consider my brother's honor and my suffering, and to thoroughly review the case again in the second trial."

In December last year, the first trial court ruled not guilty for Seo Hoon, former Chief of Staff for National Security at the Blue House, and Kim Hong-hee, former Commissioner-General of the Coast Guard, citing insufficient evidence to prove the illegality of the charges brought by the prosecution.

Similarly, Park Jie-won, former Director of the National Intelligence Service, Seo Wook, former Minister of National Defense, and Noh Eun-chae, former Secretary to the Director of the National Intelligence Service, who were also acquitted in the first trial, had their acquittals finalized as the prosecution abandoned its appeal.