[News Today] Retrial sought for late Gen. Kim Ung-soo

[LEAD]

Prosecutors have backed a retrial for the late General Kim Ung-soo, who was sentenced to prison for trying to stop fellow soldiers from joining the May 16 military coup.

They say the case will be handled in a way that restores justice and helps set right the wrongs of the past.

[REPORT]

A military coup took place on May 16, 1961.

One person dismissed subordinate officers from their posts to stop it.

He was the late General Kim Ung-soo, one of the founders of the Korean Army and a Korean War hero.

But what he faced in return was an investigation and a trial on anti-revolution charges.

The general was sentenced to 10 years in prison and died in 2018 without restoring his honor.

Kim’s family filed for a retrial last October, saying they were acting on behalf of all soldiers who had been wrongfully disgraced.

However, all investigation records and evidence have disappeared.

Then, prosecutors came forward and stepped in.

After analyzing past records, including media reports, prosecutors found that he had been illegally detained for 125 days and said this justified opening a retrial.

Kim Tae-hoon / Seoul Central Dist. Prosecutors’ Office

The prosecution will seek justice in retrial cases while maintaining legal stability.

Prosecutors also stressed that they are supporting retrials in cases involving illegal torture or detention and seeking acquittals in court.