The final hearing in the case charging former President Yoon Suk-yeol as the ringleader of an insurrection has been underway since the morning of the 9th in Supreme Courtroom 417 at the Seoul Central District Court. The trial began around 9:20 a.m., recessed around 12:30 p.m., and resumed at 2 p.m.
The Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Jee Kui-youn, Director General) held a sentencing hearing that day for the case charging former President Yoon with being the ringleader of an insurrection and for the case charging former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and other defendants with engaging in crucial insurrection duties.
At the hearing, the special counsel investigating the insurrection case will present sentencing recommendations for eight defendants including the former president, and the court will hear both sides' final statements. Anticipating a lengthy session, the court started earlier than usual at 9:20 a.m.
The former president appeared in court wearing a navy suit and a white shirt. Holding a brown envelope in his right hand and seated at the defendants' table, Yoon occasionally spoke with attorney Yoon Gap-geun seated to his left.
In the morning session, the evidence examination requested by the former Minister's side was mainly conducted. Attorney Lee Ha-sang for the former Minister said, "This case is a political trial," and argued, "The trial is being abused as a means to politically attack and neutralize the former president." The contention is that the declaration of martial law is a governmental act, and that the actions of the former Minister who carried it out were also lawful.
The former Minister sat at the defendants' table without any particular expression and at times whispered with attorney Yoon Gap-geun. The former Minister rested a hand on the chin and listened to the defense's statements.
At the start of the trial, the special counsel investigating the insurrection case team and attorney Lee from the former Minister's side engaged in a war of nerves. Saying that the necessary materials for the evidence examination were not fully prepared, attorney Lee said, "We are photocopying and bringing them." As the start of the trial was delayed, the special counsel's side said, "Let's proceed first with the defendants who are ready."
As voices rose over whether to proceed, presiding judge Jee Kui-youn, the Director General, said, "Why are you doing this when the trial is nearing its end?" He added, "The difference between a pro and an amateur is that a pro doesn't whine."
When attorney Lee asked, "Are we the ones whining?" Director General Jee said, "That remark is whining. If you are not prepared, you should courteously ask for understanding." Meanwhile, as the printed materials were prepared, the situation settled for the time being.
Once the evidence examination concludes, the special counsel investigating the insurrection case will present sentencing recommendations for the defendants including the former president, after which the defendants will deliver their final statements. The former president is expected to devote considerable time to the final statement.