The first formal trial regarding former President Yoon Suk-yeol's charge of insurrection will be held at 10 a.m. on the 14th at the Seoul Central District Court. It has been 10 days since former President Yoon was impeached by the Constitutional Court on the 4th.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Director General Ji Gui-yeon) will hold the first hearing on the charge of insurrection against former President Yoon starting at 10 a.m. The trial is expected to proceed with the reading of the prosecution's summary of charges, a statement from former President Yoon's side, and witness examinations.
The defendant is obligated to attend the hearing on that day, so former President Yoon is expected to appear in court. Earlier, the court held two preparatory hearings to organize issues and evidence. Former President Yoon attended the first preparatory hearing, but did not attend the second.
On that day, the court decided to allow access through the underground parking lot if former President Yoon's side requests it. This decision was made out of concern that supporters and opponents might crowd the court and cause chaos. Previously, former President Yoon's side had requested permission to enter through the underground parking lot on the day of the trial.
During the hearing, witness examinations will take place for the witnesses requested by the prosecution, including Director General Cho Seong-hyun of the Capital Defense Command's 1st Guard Battalion and Colonel Kim Hyung-ki of the Special Warfare Command's 1st Special Forces Battalion. The witness examinations originally scheduled for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jo Tae-yeol have been changed due to scheduling conflicts.
Director General Jo testified as a witness in the impeachment trial of former President Yoon that he received orders from former Capital Defense Commander Lee Jin-woo to 'go inside and bring out the members of Congress' during the state of emergency on December 3. Colonel Kim is said to have received orders from Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun of the Special Forces Command to 'enter the main building (of the National Assembly) and pull out the lawmakers.'
Meanwhile, former President Yoon was indicted on January 26 for conspiring with former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyeon and others to declare an unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency, thereby committing insurrection. He is also charged with mobilizing the military and police to block the National Assembly and obstruct the resolution to lift the state of emergency after its declaration. Additionally, he is accused of attempting to arrest and detain key figures such as National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, former Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, and former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, as well as staff members of the National Election Commission.
In the two previous preparatory hearings, former President Yoon's side denied these charges.