Seoul:A court in Seoul has acquitted two former generals accused of involvement in planning martial law at a fast-food restaurant just hours before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration in late 2024. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Koo Sam-hoe, former commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, and Bang Jeong-hwan, former head of the defense ministry's defense innovation planning, were not guilty of playing key roles in an insurrection related to Yoon's failed martial law attempt.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the court determined that the charges against the ex-generals did not hold, as there was no proven intent to subvert the Constitution. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team had sought seven-year prison sentences for the two former brigadier generals, alleging they received instructions from a retired former intelligence commander at the burger joint in Ansan, six hours before Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, 2024.

The prosecution accused the two of being tasked with investigating allegations of election fraud. However, the court found that they appeared unaware of specific plans and did not receive any documents related to the alleged missions. Additionally, six other former military officials were acquitted of charges related to sending troops to the National Assembly, the election watchdog, and an opinion polling agency during martial law, as their intent to subvert the Constitution was also not proven.