'Comment Army·Political Manipulation' Won Se-hoon... Supreme Court Final Verdict Today

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The Supreme Court is set to deliver a ruling on former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Won Sei-hoon, who was indicted for ordering various illegal political operations during the Lee Myung-bak administration.

On the 11th, the Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Kim Seon-su) will hold a sentencing hearing for the appeal of former Director Won and others, who were charged with violating the National Intelligence Service Act and other offenses.

Former Director Won was prosecuted for operating a covert operations team within the NIS to conduct illegal surveillance during the Lee Myung-bak administration, targeting prominent opposition politicians and civilians for surveillance and political manipulation. Notably, he is also accused of allocating approximately 6.5 billion KRW of NIS budget to a civilian online comment team and delivering 200 million KRW in special activity funds and 100,000 USD in cash to former President Lee Myung-bak.

The first trial court recognized the charges related to NIS budget support, perjury, and providing 100,000 USD to former President Lee as guilty, sentencing Won to seven years in prison and a seven-year suspension of qualifications. The appellate court revised some judgments and sentenced Won to seven years in prison with a five-year suspension of qualifications.

Meanwhile, former Director Won was previously convicted in April 2018 by the Supreme Court for election interference through mobilizing NIS employees to post comments, receiving a four-year prison sentence and a four-year suspension of qualifications.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.