The security authorities indicted them for violation of the "Security Law" on charges that they staged actions for independence against the U.S. and the "government", justified the north's nuclear test and Yonphyong Island shelling and possessed and distributed copies of their organ containing stories "benefiting enemy."

The court dismissed the appeal with unreasonable assertions and upheld the earlier decision of sentencing them to 2 years in prison and 3 years of suspension of qualifications.