The sentencing hearing in the case of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of leading an insurrection began on the morning of the 13th.
The Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Director General Jee Kui-youn) resumed at about 9:30 a.m. the proceedings to conclude the trials of former President Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection, and of seven senior military and police leaders, including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and former Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho, on charges of engaging in important duties related to insurrection.
Earlier, the sentencing hearing for eight key defendants on insurrection charges, including former President Yoon, was held on the 9th, but as the defense team for the former Minister spent eight hours solely on the examination of documentary evidence, an additional date was set for today. The special counsel investigating the insurrection case is expected to seek sentences for the eight defendants today.
Afterward, the defendants will deliver their final statements. The final statements are also expected to take considerable time. At the sentencing hearing on charges including obstructing an arrest by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 26th of last month, former President Yoon spoke for about an hour in his final statement.
The court has stated it will conclude the sentencing proceedings today without fail. The trial is expected to be fully wrapped up today.