Court Denies Lee Sang-min's Bail Review

Lee Sang-min, the former Minister of the Interior and Safety, who was arrested on charges including conspiracy to insurrection related to the December 3rd emergency martial law, requested a review of the legality of his detention, but the court did not accept this request.

The 8-1 Criminal Appeals Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Judges Cha Seung-hwan, Ryu Chang-seong, and Choi Jin-sook) conducted the bail review on the 8th and dismissed the request, stating, "There is no reason to accept the request."

The court stated, "There is no evidence suggesting a violation of the requirements and procedures for detention, and there is a concern of evidence destruction, necessitating continued detention."

Suspicion of Complicity in Illegal Martial Law and Media Control Directives

The former minister was arrested on the 1st of this month on charges of involvement in an insurrection, abuse of power, and perjury. He is accused of failing to prevent the declaration of illegal martial law while serving as the minister in charge of martial law during peacetime, and for transmitting directives to the National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency to cut off media outlets, thus infringing on press freedom and the rights to life and safety of the public.

The special investigation team views this conduct as sequential involvement in former President Yoon Suk-yeol's insurrection crimes.

Charges of False Testimony and Extension of Detention

The former minister testified during the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of former President Yoon, stating, "I have never attempted to cut off electricity or water," and "I have never received any directives from the president." However, the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team deemed this as false testimony. The special investigation team emphasized the necessity of continued detention, submitting 85 PowerPoint slides and a 110-page opinion document.

It was highlighted that the previously issued arrest warrant already substantiated criminal charges, and there have been no significant changes in circumstances since the issuance of the warrant. The court also approved the special investigation team's request for an extension of the detention period. The period for the bail review request does not count towards the detention period, indicating that the former minister's detention is expected to be extended further.

Image source: Lee Sang-min, former Minister of the Interior and Safety / News1, News1