Politics · South Korea · 9 hrs ago
Prosecutors seek prison terms for three ex-officials in THAAD leak case
South Korean prosecutors sought prison terms for three former officials who served under former President Moon Jae-in.
They face charges of abusing their power by leaking information about operations involving the US missile defense system known as THAAD.
Prosecutors say Chung Eui-yong and Jeong Kyeong-doo ordered information about equipment operations at the Seongju base to be shared with activists opposed to hosting the system.
Suh Choo-suk is accused of arranging advance warnings about equipment and construction deliveries on eight occasions between 2018 and 2021.
South Korea agreed to host THAAD in 2016 to help counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
The case is among indictments that may be reviewed under a special counsel bill passed last week, which concerns allegations of fabricated evidence and induced false testimony during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Prosecutors on Nov. 9 sought prison terms for three former officials in a case involving leaked intelligence about the THAAD missile defense system.
They requested 10-month sentences for former national security adviser Chung Eui-yong and former defense minister Jeong Kyeong-doo.
They sought a two-year sentence for former first deputy national security adviser Suh Choo-suk.
The three are accused of informing activists opposed to THAAD about equipment and construction operations at the Seongju base.
The officials were indicted in April 2025 after a state auditor raised suspicions that the information had been leaked to delay THAAD’s full deployment.
- Who
- Former national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, former defense minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and former first deputy national security adviser Suh Choo-suk.
- What
- Prosecutors sought prison sentences for the three in a case alleging they leaked THAAD-related intelligence.
- When
- Prosecutors made the requests on Nov. 9, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul Central District Court. The operations at issue concerned the THAAD base in Seongju, 215 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the officials informed activists opposed to THAAD about operations involving equipment and construction materials.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Park Geun-hye administration decided to host the U.S. missile defense system.
Suh is accused of instructing a defense ministry official on eight occasions to inform activists in advance about operations involving THAAD-related equipment and construction materials.
Chung and Jeong are accused of ordering activists to be informed about operations to replace THAAD missiles and radar equipment at Seongju.
Prosecutors indicted the three after a state auditor raised suspicions about the alleged leak.
Prosecutors sought prison terms for the three at Seoul Central District Court.
- Chung Eui-yong
- Prosecutors requested a 10-month prison sentence.
- Jeong Kyeong-doo
- Prosecutors requested a 10-month prison sentence.
- Suh Choo-suk
- Prosecutors requested a two-year prison sentence.
- THAAD base
- Seongju, 215 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
- Indictment
- April 2025.