South Korea: Former President Yoon Refutes Insurrection Allegations in Initial Criminal Trial
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On April 14, 2023, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court for his first criminal trial on insurrection charges, claiming that his martial law declaration in December was not an insurrection. The trial is ongoing, with further hearings scheduled.
Key Takeaways
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is on trial for insurrection.
- He argues that his martial law declaration was not insurrection.
- Yoon was impeached and removed from office on April 4.
- Insurrection carries severe penalties in South Korea.
- The court has scheduled multiple hearings in this case.
Seoul, April 14 (NationPress) Former President Yoon Suk Yeol mounted a defense during his initial criminal trial on insurrection allegations on Monday, asserting that his effort to impose martial law in December did not constitute an insurrection.
Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in a black security vehicle and entered through the underground parking to limit public exposure.
The first hearing commenced shortly before 10 am, with Yoon positioned in the defendant's seat clad in a navy suit. Photography and filming by the media were prohibited under a court ruling.
Yoon, a former chief prosecutor, faces accusations of orchestrating an insurrection through his brief declaration of martial law on December 3, which involved deploying troops to the National Assembly in an alleged attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting against the decree.
He was impeached by the National Assembly shortly thereafter and was removed from office on April 4, following a unanimous ruling by the Constitutional Court upholding his impeachment.
"The indictment merely details the investigation into events during the few hours between 10:30 pm December 3 and 2 to 3 am," Yoon stated after the prosecution outlined its charges.
"It contradicts legal principles to construct an insurrection case based on an indictment resembling a summary of an incident that transpired within just a few hours and was promptly rescinded in a nonviolent manner upon meeting the National Assembly's demand to lift it," he added, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Nonetheless, the prosecution argued, referencing the former President's perspectives on state affairs and his preparations leading up to the martial law declaration, that he aimed to "initiate a riot" with the intent of "overthrowing the Constitution."
Insurrection is a severe crime that can lead to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or even death.
Since his removal, Yoon has vacated the official presidential residence in Seoul's Hannam-dong and returned to his private home located a ten-minute walk from the court.
Two military officers involved in the martial law operations confirmed attendance as witnesses, stating they received orders from superiors to enter the National Assembly to "drag out" lawmakers during the brief martial law period.
The court has arranged the second hearing for next Monday, indicating that approximately three hearings will occur every two weeks.
