In accordance with the 6-3-3 principle of the Special Prosecutor Act, the trials involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol will proceed as scheduled this week, despite the court recess. The court will hold a ruling on the first trial regarding violations of the election law and the first hearing of the appeal concerning charges of general defection and abuse of authority.
According to legal sources on July 26, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 21, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, will conduct the ruling on Yoon's election law violation case on July 27. The ruling will be broadcast live.
Yoon is accused of making false statements during a discussion at the Kwanhun Club on December 14, 2021, claiming he had not introduced attorney Lee Nam-seok to former Yongsan Tax Office Chief Yoon Woo-jin, despite having done so while serving as the head of the Central Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in 2012. This was allegedly to mitigate concerns over declining approval ratings during the presidential election.
Additionally, he faces charges for stating in a media interview on January 17, 2022, that he had never met Jeon Seong-bae of the Geonjin Law Firm, although he acknowledged having exchanged greetings through party officials, but denied meeting with First Lady Kim Kun-hee.
If Yoon receives a sentence of more than 1 million won in fines in this case, the People Power Party will be required to return 39.7 billion won in election funds to the National Election Commission.
The special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, requested a two-year prison sentence during the closing arguments on June 8, stating, "The Constitution mandates that the president be elected through direct elections, and the dissemination of false information that influences the voters' judgment is a serious crime in itself."
On July 29, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Yoon Seong-sik, will hold the first hearing of the appeal regarding Yoon's charges of general defection and abuse of authority. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Army Counterintelligence Command Chief Yeo In-hyung, who face similar charges, will also appear in court.
Yoon and others are accused of escalating military tensions by infiltrating drones into Pyongyang to provoke an attack from North Korea, thereby creating a justification for declaring a state of emergency. Former Commander Kim is charged with obstructing the investigation by preparing and submitting false documents related to the drone operations.
The first trial court sentenced Yoon to 30 years in prison, marking the first time a former president has been convicted of general defection in South Korea's constitutional history. Former Minister Kim received a heavier sentence of 30 years, exceeding the special prosecutor's request of 25 years. Former Commander Yeo was sentenced to 15 years, while former Commander Kim received a three-year sentence with a five-year probation.
Given that the first trial was conducted in private due to concerns over national security leaks, it is highly likely that the appeal trial will also be held behind closed doors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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