First Preparatory Hearing for Police Leadership Held on the 6th
Denial of Charges of Engaging in Important Duties During Rebellion
Former Commissioner Kim Also Denies "Intent and Disruption of National Order"
Former National Police Agency Commissioner General Jo Ji-ho stated at the first trial for charges of rebellion, "My security activities as the Police Commissioner General are being misunderstood as support for martial law." He asserted that he was not involved in the rebellion but rather prevented martial law from being implemented. Although Jo was arrested and indicted on charges of engaging in important duties during the rebellion on the 8th of last month, he was unable to attend the trial due to his treatment schedule for blood cancer.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) held the first preparatory hearing for the rebellion charges against former Police Commissioner Generals Jo Ji-ho and Kim Bong-sik and other police leadership on the same day. Jo’s defense attorney, Roh Jeong-hwan, responded to the court’s question about whether they acknowledged the charges by stating, "The precedent requires evidence of functional control to recognize co-conspiracy in rebellion, which has not been met." He added, "The defendant performed security activities naturally required of a commissioner, which are being misunderstood as support for martial law activities, but in fact, he prevented the crime by stopping martial law from being enforced."
Kim’s defense also stated, "We deny the intent and overall conspiracy to disrupt the national order in the rebellion charges," and added, "After reviewing the records, we will clarify which parts are acknowledged or denied."
On this day, the prosecution revealed that the expected number of witnesses in future trials is "about 520 people, all presumed to be objected to based on investigation records and official documents so far." Regarding whether to consolidate the trial with related cases such as that of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, opinions differed. The prosecution stated that parallel trials rather than consolidation are possible, but the two former commissioners argued that consolidation is necessary considering issues such as overlapping witnesses due to co-conspiracy. The court said it would express its opinion on consolidation after conducting additional preparatory hearings.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
