Seoul: A court has sentenced retired Army Maj. Gen. Noh Sang-won to two years in prison for his role in collecting personal information of military intelligence officers related to last year's martial law. Noh, who previously served as the commander of the Defense Intelligence Command (DIC), was also ordered by the Seoul Central District Court to forfeit 24.9 million won (US$17,000) after being found guilty of accepting bribes from subordinate officers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this judgment marks the first court sentence in cases managed by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which is investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law on December 3 of last year. In a previous hearing, Cho's team had sought a three-year imprisonment for Noh.

Noh was indicted for gathering military intelligence, including personal details of DIC agents, from military commanders between September and December of the previous year. This was allegedly done to create an organization to probe allegations of election fraud. Additionally, he faced charges for accepting 20 million won in cash and department store gift certificates worth a total of 6 million won from a brigadier general and a colonel, in return for his promise to aid in their promotions.

The court stated that Noh should be held accountable as his actions were among the key factors that led to the declaration of martial law. Furthermore, Noh was reported to be a close confidant of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was also arrested for his involvement in Yoon's martial law declaration.