Former President Yoon Suk-yeol to Face Trial for Insurrection Charges
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached on April 4, is set to appear in court starting April 14 to face charges of insurrection. With his presidential immunity lifted, he may also face additional charges related to abuse of power in connection with the state of emergency, as well as investigations into political funding violations linked to political broker Myung Tae-kyun and the case of a deceased Marine.
According to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, will hold the first trial session for Yoon on April 14. Yoon was indicted in January and attended the first preparatory hearing on February 20, but did not appear for the second hearing on March 24 after his detention was lifted. He is required to attend all upcoming formal court sessions.
During the first trial, the prosecution will read the charges against Yoon, followed by statements from his defense team. The prosecution has requested to question witnesses, including Cho Sung-hyun, the commander of the 1st Security Battalion of the Defense Security Command, and Kim Hyung-ki, the commander of the 1st Special Forces Brigade. Yoon's defense argues that the investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) lacks jurisdiction over insurrection charges and that there was no intent to disrupt the constitution, thus rendering the charges invalid.
On April 7, the same court will hold a third trial session involving Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik, where testimonies from high-ranking police officials are expected. A third trial for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, former Intelligence Chief Noh Sang-won, and retired Colonel Kim Yong-gun is scheduled for April 10.
In relation to the state of emergency, military and police leadership are also facing charges of insurrection and abuse of power. The Special Investigation Headquarters for the State of Emergency, led by Park Se-hyun, the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, initially charged Yoon only with insurrection, as current presidents can only be prosecuted for insurrection and foreign exchange crimes. However, there is a strong possibility that abuse of power charges will also be applied later, which may involve direct questioning of Yoon.
Additionally, the dedicated investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is expected to intensify its investigation into Yoon and his spouse, Kim Geon-hee, regarding allegations involving political broker Myung Tae-kyun. Yoon is accused of receiving polling data 81 times from Myung's associates before the last presidential election, allegedly in exchange for facilitating the nomination of former People Power Party member Kim Young-sun in a June 2022 by-election. There are also allegations that the couple requested specific candidate nominations from the People Power Party during the last general election at Myung's behest.
Furthermore, the CIO is investigating claims that Yoon exerted external pressure during the investigation into the late Corporal Chae Mo, who died during recovery efforts after the 2023 floods. The police are looking into allegations that Yoon attempted to obstruct the execution of arrest warrants issued by the CIO through the Presidential Security Service.
