[Photo=Yonhap]
The hearing, scheduled for 10:15 a.m. at the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first time one of four insurrection-related cases involving Yoon has reached the final stage of arguments. Legal observers say the outcome could serve as a bellwether for how the remaining trials may unfold.
Criminal Division 35 will hear final arguments in the case charging Yoon with aggravated obstruction of official duties and related offenses. If proceedings move as scheduled, the court is expected to set a date for a first-instance verdict later in the day.
The timing is notable, as a ruling could come just days before Yoon’s detention is set to expire on Jan. 18. Under the special counsel law governing insurrection-related cases, courts are required to deliver a first-trial verdict within six months of indictment. At a previous hearing on Dec. 16, the court indicated that a decision would likely be issued around Jan. 16.
During Friday’s session, the court will first question two witnesses: Lee Sang-min, former interior and safety minister, and Choi Sang-mok, former deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister. The special counsel team will then present its closing arguments and sentencing request, followed by the defense’s final arguments and Yoon’s own statement to the court.
Yoon was indicted in July while in detention. Prosecutors allege that when he declared martial law on Dec. 3, he selectively summoned only Cabinet members considered favorable to him in order to create the appearance of a lawful Cabinet deliberation. They argue this violated the constitutional rights of nine ministers who were excluded from the decision-making process.
The indictment further alleges that after martial law was lifted, Yoon ordered the creation of a false proclamation to make it appear the measure had been formally approved through a document bearing the signatures of then–Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Prosecutors say the document was later shredded, despite constituting an official presidential record.
Yoon is also accused of ordering the deletion of secure communication records involving former Defense Security Command chief Yeo In-hyung, and of directing the Presidential Security Service to block the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from executing an arrest warrant in January.
Separately, the special counsel team has additionally indicted Yoon on charges of aiding the enemy, alleging that drones were sent into Pyongyang to heighten military tensions and create justification for declaring martial law. The team has requested extended detention in that case, and the court held a hearing on the request on Dec. 23.
The court instructed both the prosecution and the defense to submit additional written opinions by Dec. 30, with a decision on the detention request expected after that date.
In the same case, Kim Yong-hyun and Yeo In-hyung, indicted as Yoon’s accomplices, were issued additional arrest warrants on Dec. 24, extending their detention by up to six months. Kim’s previous detention was due to expire a day earlier, while Yeo’s was set to expire on Jan. 2.
Yoon had asked the court to postpone sentencing in the current case until after proceedings conclude in what prosecutors describe as the “main case” — the charge of leading an insurrection — now being tried separately at the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25 under Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon. That request was rejected.
The insurrection-leader case is expected to conclude arguments as early as next month, with a first-instance ruling likely in February, according to court officials.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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