Proceedings were halted on the 18th after former Ministry of National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon's side filed a motion to recuse the panel in the sedition case. A recusal motion is a request by the prosecution or the defendant to replace the bench when there is concern that a judge may conduct an unfair trial.
That day, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) proceeded with the trial on charges including participation in important duties related to sedition against the former Minister Kim.
In the afternoon during witness questioning, the former Minister Kim raised an issue, saying the special prosecutor used an alias in the investigation records. When the court continued the proceedings, the former Minister Kim's side said, "If you force it through, we will file a recusal motion. Please suspend the litigation procedure." The proceedings were halted.
Earlier, in Jul., the former Minister Kim's side also filed a recusal motion against the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 34 (Chief Judge Han Seong-jin), which was handling the additional case indicted by the sedition special prosecutor on charges including instigation to destroy evidence, but it was dismissed.