The first-trial verdict in former President Yoon Suk-yeol's alleged role as ringleader 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 Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Jee Kui-youn) opened a closing hearing at 9:30 a.m. on the 13th for the case against the former president on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection, and for the case against seven people including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun on charges of engaging in important duties related to the insurrection. The hearing concluded at about 2:25 a.m. on the 14th after the former president's attorneys conducted a lengthy examination of documentary evidence and, following the special counsel's sentencing demand, the former president delivered a final statement for an hour and 30 minutes.
Concluding the closing arguments, Judge Jee said, "Sentencing will be delivered at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19 in this courtroom (Seoul Central District Court criminal grand courtroom No. 417)," 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 hearings that proceeded at a breathless pace, prosecutors did their utmost to sustain the charges and, by following the court's direction as much as possible, made a swift trial possible."
He continued, "The defense attorneys also worked diligently and in good faith amid broadcast coverage of the trial, public opinion, and social pressure," adding, "Had there been no cooperation, a swift trial would likely have been difficult."
Judge Jee said, "The court 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 according to the Constitution and the evidence under the law."
On this day, the special counsel investigating the insurrection case sought life imprisonment for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. The team 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.