The recent sentencing of Lee Sang-min, the former Minister of Interior and Safety, to seven years in prison for his role in a coup has caused public uproar, predominantly on social media, where many criticized the court's decision as too lenient, especially when compared to harsher penalties for other crimes. This sentiment was amplified by a post on Hankyoreh's Instagram, which highlighted the juxtaposition of Lee's sentence with that of Jeon Cheong-jo, who received 13 years for a substantial fraud case. The outrage stemmed from the expectation that those responsible for the nation's safety and governance should face stricter repercussions for serious misconduct.

Lee's tenure as the interior minister was marred by controversies, particularly surrounding his comments following the Itaewon disaster, where he downplayed the role of police and emergency workers in preventing the tragedy. Critics argue that his management of the crisis reflected a troubling lack of accountability and proper awareness of the gravity of his position. Despite public discontent and calls for accountability, President Yoon Suk-yeol supported Lee, further exacerbating the frustrations of citizens feeling let down by government response to the disaster and subsequent events.

Ultimately, this case shines a light on broader issues of governance, accountability, and the public's expectation of justice in South Korea. It raises questions about the judiciary's role in enforcing accountability against those in power, especially in a climate where many feel that serious offenders receive disproportionate sentences. The backlash against Lee's lenient sentence reflects broader societal challenges in addressing leadership failures and the implications these have for public trust in government institutions.