Prosecution Points Out Unappointed Visits by Kim Yonghyun's Defense Team to Kwak Jonggeun
At the second pretrial conference for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, the prosecution pointed out that Kim's defense team abused visitation rights. Regarding attempts to visit former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun and former Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, the prosecution stated, "Continuously attempting to visit accomplices who have differing positions on the charges constitutes an abuse of visitation rights."
On the 6th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) held the first pretrial conference for Jo Ji-ho, Kim Bong-sik, Noh Sang-won, and Kim Yong-gun, and the second pretrial conference for former Minister Kim. Toward the end of the trial for Kim, the prosecution said, "Defense attorney Kwak Jong-geun revealed through a military court opinion letter that despite explicit expressions of opposition, he attempted unappointed visits over two weeks," and added, "We urge the court to prevent the defendant from further contact with accomplices in this regard." The court responded, "We expect you to be careful to avoid misunderstandings about abuse."
On the other hand, Kim Yong-hyun's defense team countered, "The commanders were isolated without proper legal assistance, so this is an overinterpretation." The prosecution rebutted, "This opinion originates from defense attorney Kwak Jong-geun. While it might be acceptable if there were no attorneys, these individuals do have attorneys, so attempts to visit without appointment should not be made."
Kim's defense also claimed the prosecution's charges were "low-level imagination" and "absurd fiction." Kim's defense attorney stated, "The declaration of martial law and subsequent processes were exercises of constitutional authority by the president, not crimes, and the Minister of National Defense was performing ordinary duties and exercising official authority." They also submitted a petition to the court to cancel Kim's detention, arguing that his arrest was unlawful.
The decision on whether to consolidate the trials held that day will be made after President Yoon's pretrial conference. The prosecution requested the court, "Even if the trials are consolidated, please conduct focused hearings in parallel initially." Conversely, defendants including former Minister Kim, Jo Ji-ho, Kim Bong-sik, Noh Sang-won, and Kim Yong-gun expressed the opinion that consolidation is necessary to guarantee defense rights and ensure efficient proceedings. The court said, "We need to hold the most important pretrial conference once to get a clearer picture."
The court scheduled the third pretrial conference for former Minister Kim and the second pretrial conference for the other defendants charged with rebellion for the 27th. President Yoon's first pretrial procedure will take place on the 20th.
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