The first-trial verdict in former President Yoon Suk-yeol's alleged role as the leader of an insurrection will be delivered on Feb. 19. The special counsel investigating the insurrection case sought the death penalty for the former president.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jee Kui-youn) opened the closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. on the 13th for the case charging the former president with leading an insurrection and for the case against seven people, including former Ministry of National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, on charges of engaging in important duties related to the insurrection. The hearing concluded around 2:25 a.m. on the 14th after the former president's attorneys conducted hours-long documentary evidence examinations and the former president delivered a 1 hour and 30 minute final statement following the special counsel's sentencing recommendation.
Concluding the closing arguments, Judge Jee said, "The ruling will be delivered at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19 in this courtroom (Criminal Grand Courtroom 417, Seoul Central District Court)," adding, "Defendants must appear on that day."
Judge Jee said, "I thank both sides (the special counsel investigating the insurrection case and the defendants, including the former president)," adding, "During the 160 rapidly conducted hearings, prosecutors did their utmost to sustain the charges and, by largely following the bench's direction, made a swift trial possible."
He went on, "The defense attorneys also worked diligently and in good faith in their advocacy amid live coverage, public opinion and social pressure," adding, "Had there been no cooperation, a swift trial would likely have been difficult."
Judge Jee said, "The bench strove for the most fair and swift trial possible, but there were likely many shortcomings," adding, "We will decide the outcome of this case solely on the constitution, the law and the evidence."
On this day, the special counsel investigating the insurrection case sought life imprisonment for former Ministry of National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. It asked the court to sentence former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won to 30 years in prison and former Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho to 20 years in prison.