Former President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly issued a command on the day of the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 of last year, instructing former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-kun to "break down the door with an axe and drag the lawmakers out." The prosecution stated in the indictment that former President Yoon relayed orders to soldiers present at the National Assembly through former Commander Kwak on the day of the martial law.
On the 26th, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Director General Ji KwI-yeon, held the fifth hearing regarding former President Yoon's charge of insurrection from 10:15 a.m. to approximately 6:24 p.m.
On this day, former President Yoon walked into the courtroom past the photo line. He remained silent in response to reporters' questions such as, "Don't you have anything to say to the people ahead of the presidential election?" and "Why did you watch the documentary on electoral fraud?"
On this day, testimony was given by former Army Special Warfare Command 1st Airborne Brigade Commander (Brigadier General) Lee Sang-hyun. Brigadier General Lee was known to have commanded the martial law troops in the National Assembly at the time of the martial law.
The prosecution asked Brigadier General Lee, "Did Kwak Jong-kun instruct the witness to 'go in with an axe or break down the door'?" Brigadier General Lee replied, "That's how I remember it."
The prosecution then asked, "So, does the witness understand that the order regarding the axe was from the president, not Kwak Jong-kun?" Brigadier General Lee responded, "I understood it that way. The wording was like that."
On this day, Brigadier General Lee also testified that "Kwak Jong-kun instructed to send a support unit to the National Assembly in Yeouido and to the Democratic Party headquarters." The support unit refers to a group disguised in civil clothing for information-gathering activities. The prosecution asked, "Didn't you think there would be backlash when you sent them to the Democratic Party headquarters?" Brigadier General Lee replied, "The situation was chaotic, so I didn't have time to think about such specific details."
Former President Yoon's next trial will be held at 10:15 a.m. on June 9.