Former Military Intelligence Chief Faces Trial Over Coup Allegations: What You Need to Know

Moon Sang-ho, the former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command accused by prosecutors of deploying troops to the National Election Commission and participating in a martial-law simulation during the Dec. 3 emergency, will face his first formal trial on the 16th.

On the 12th, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 26, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-kyung, closed pretrial proceedings and set the formal trial for the 16th. The court confirmed charges that include participation in major duties related to an insurrection, abuse of authority that interfered with the exercise of rights, and unlawful disclosure of military secrets. The defendant must appear at that hearing.

Moon had been tried at the Central Regional Military Court. After the Defense Ministry dismissed him in January, the special prosecutor on the insurrection, Cho Eun-seok, requested the case be transferred to the Seoul Central District Court, which accepted it.

Prosecutors say that on Dec. 3, 2024, Moon ordered 10 Defense Intelligence Command personnel to the National Election Commission office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and instructed them to seize the commission’s server room.

He is also accused of leaking military secrets — including a list of roughly 40 intelligence operatives — to former Intelligence Command commander No Sang-won while No was a civilian.

Moon denies all the charges.