Former Intelligence Chief Noh Sang-won Faces Additional Charges in South Korea's Martial Law Scandal

Breaking: Special Prosecution Adds New Charges Against Key Martial Law Figure

The South Korean special prosecution team investigating the December 3, 2024 martial law incident has delivered another significant blow to one of its key suspects. On June 27, 2025, former Defense Intelligence Command Chief Noh Sang-won was hit with additional charges under the Personal Information Protection Act, further complicating his already extensive legal troubles.

This latest development represents the fourth additional indictment issued by the special prosecution team, following similar actions against former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, former Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, and former Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho. The systematic approach of the special prosecution demonstrates their commitment to uncovering every aspect of what many consider South Korea's most serious political crisis since democratization.

The charges stem from allegations that Noh illegally obtained military information with the intention of forming an investigation team to probe claims of election fraud. This revelation adds another layer to the complex web of conspiracy charges surrounding the failed martial law attempt that shook South Korea's democratic foundations.

The Hamburger Restaurant Conspiracy: How a Civilian Orchestrated Military Operations

What makes Noh Sang-won's case particularly shocking is that he was already retired from military service when he allegedly masterminded key aspects of the martial law plot. Despite being a civilian, prosecutors believe he acted as the puppet master behind the scenes, coordinating with active military personnel to execute the controversial plan.

The most bizarre aspect of this conspiracy involves meetings held at a Lotteria hamburger restaurant in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. On December 1 and 3, 2024, Noh allegedly gathered current Defense Intelligence Command Major General Moon Sang-ho and other military officials at this unlikely venue to discuss martial law operations. During these clandestine meetings, he reportedly told the assembled officers, 'What bad things could the Minister ask us to do?' and 'Just do what you are told,' before assigning them specific roles in what would become known as the 'Second Investigation Unit.'

This civilian-led military conspiracy represents an unprecedented breach of South Korea's military command structure and highlights the extent to which democratic institutions were threatened during this period.

The Second Investigation Unit: A Shadow Organization Within the Military

Central to the charges against Noh is his alleged role in conceiving and directing the 'Second Investigation Unit,' a covert organization established specifically to investigate claims of election fraud. This shadow unit, composed of 68 carefully selected military personnel across four departments, was designed to operate outside normal military channels and answer directly to the martial law conspirators.

According to prosecution documents, Noh began planning this organization approximately two months before the martial law declaration. He instructed Intelligence Command personnel to select officers who could be 'controlled' - primarily company and field-grade officers who would follow orders without question. The unit's mission was clear: seize control of the National Election Commission, arrest its employees, and conduct forensic analysis of election servers to support unfounded claims of electoral fraud.

Democratic Party member Choo Mi-ae described this organization as 'an illegal organization executing a coup,' emphasizing how it represented a direct threat to South Korea's democratic processes. The detailed personnel orders and mission descriptions found in prosecution documents reveal the systematic nature of this plot and the extent to which military resources were to be weaponized for political purposes.

Violent Threats and Extreme Measures: The Dark Side of the Plot

Perhaps most disturbing are the violent threats and extreme measures that Noh allegedly planned as part of the martial law operation. Prosecutors have revealed statements indicating that he made specific threats, including saying 'I will handle Noh Tae-ak' and instructing subordinates to 'bring a baseball bat to the office.' These statements suggest that the conspiracy involved not just institutional takeover but potential physical violence against political opponents.

Even more shocking are notes found in Noh's personal notebook that detailed plans to 'provoke North Korea into an attack' near the Northern Limit Line and to 'collect' and 'shoot dead' politicians and justices. These revelations paint a picture of a conspiracy that went far beyond a simple power grab, potentially involving international provocation and domestic assassination plots.

The special prosecution has indicated that they plan to indict Noh on charges related to 'inducement of foreign aggression,' suggesting that the investigation has uncovered evidence of attempts to manipulate inter-Korean tensions for political gain. This aspect of the case has raised serious national security concerns and demonstrates the extreme lengths to which the conspirators were allegedly willing to go.

The Fortune Teller Connection: Mysticism Meets Military Conspiracy

Adding an almost surreal element to this already extraordinary case is Noh's reported connection to shamanism and fortune-telling. A fortune teller in Gunsan, located about 175 kilometers south of Seoul, has revealed that Noh visited the shop over 20 times between February 2022 and early 2024, seeking advice about the destinies of military personnel involved in the martial law plot.

According to the fortune teller's testimony to Yonhap News Agency, Noh would ask about the fortunes of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and other military officials connected to the failed martial law bid. This revelation has captured public attention and added another bizarre dimension to a case already filled with unprecedented elements.

The involvement of mystical practices in what was supposed to be a calculated military operation has become a source of both fascination and ridicule among South Korean netizens, with many questioning how such superstitious behavior could coexist with serious military planning.

Legal Proceedings and Public Response: Democracy Under Scrutiny

The legal proceedings against Noh Sang-won have become a focal point for South Korea's ongoing reckoning with the events of December 3, 2024. His current detention period is set to expire on July 9, 2025, prompting the special prosecution to submit an opinion paper on the necessity of maintaining his arrest warrant. The prosecution's systematic approach to building cases against all major figures involved demonstrates the seriousness with which South Korean institutions are treating this threat to democracy.

Public reaction to these revelations has been intense, with online communities expressing a mixture of outrage, disbelief, and dark humor. The image of military conspirators meeting in a hamburger restaurant has become a symbol of both the absurdity and the genuine danger of the situation. Many citizens have expressed relief that the plot failed while remaining concerned about the vulnerabilities in South Korea's democratic institutions that allowed such a conspiracy to develop.

The case has also sparked broader discussions about civilian oversight of the military and the need for stronger safeguards against future attempts to subvert democratic governance. As the legal proceedings continue, South Korea faces the challenge of holding accountable those responsible while strengthening the institutions that protect its democracy.

International Implications and Future Concerns

The Noh Sang-won case has implications that extend far beyond South Korea's borders. The allegations of attempting to provoke North Korean aggression as part of a domestic political conspiracy raise serious questions about regional stability and the potential for internal political conflicts to escalate into international incidents.

Foreign observers have noted the sophisticated nature of the conspiracy and the extent to which it penetrated South Korea's military establishment. The fact that a retired officer could allegedly coordinate such an extensive operation while maintaining connections throughout the active military has raised concerns about institutional vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hostile foreign actors.

As South Korea continues to grapple with the aftermath of the failed martial law attempt, the international community watches closely to see how one of Asia's most important democracies will strengthen its institutions against future threats. The ongoing legal proceedings against Noh and his co-conspirators represent not just a pursuit of justice but a test of South Korea's commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law.