Former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won / Captured from JTBC

Former Defense Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won, who is accused of conspiring to plan martial law at what has now become known as the infamous "Lotteria meeting," has also been found to be operating a fortune-telling business from his home and working as a spiritual consultant, according to a report by JTBC on Dec. 19.

Reporters who visited Noh's residence discovered three fortune tellers managing various services, including "saju" readings (a traditional Korean form of fortune-telling). The residence is located near the now much-mocked Lotteria restaurant in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, where the alleged plot was discussed.

The fortune tellers identified the property as a fortune-telling house and described themselves as business partners with Noh, specializing in Eastern philosophy and spiritual guidance.

Noh began his work in fortune-telling after his dishonorable discharge from the military in 2018 following a conviction for sexual assault.

In 2018, while serving as the principal of the Army Intelligence School, Noh was convicted of forcibly placing a female cadet on his lap and making inappropriate physical contact during an Armed Forces Day dinner.

The court sentenced him to 18 months in prison and barred him from working in child- or youth-related institutions for three years.

Fortune-telling career

Noh is said to have personally consulted clients in his new role. A fortune teller at the residence said, "We met while praying at a temple, and we studied the field together since we share the same interests."

The fortune teller added, "He is well-known in rural areas for his spiritual energy and philosophical expertise. He practices name changes, saju and astrology."

Neighbors have referred to Noh as a "male shaman."

On Dec. 3, the day martial law was declared, Noh was at his fortune-telling house. Two days earlier, on Dec. 1, he allegedly attended the so-called Lotteria meeting with then-Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho to discuss the planning for the martial law declaration. Noh was arrested by police on Dec. 18 on charges of conspiring to orchestrate the martial law declaration.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.