Yoon Seok-yeol "Martial Law Must Always Be Prepared"... Fully Denies Charges at First Trial

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was indicted on charges of leading an insurrection related to the December 3 emergency martial law incident, fully denied the charges during the formal criminal trial procedure, stating, "A few hours of non-violent incidents were construed as an insurrection. This is not legally sound."

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol is greeting supporters as he leaves the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and moves to his private residence in Seocho-dong on April 11, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

On the 14th, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) held the first formal trial for Yoon’s insurrection charges at 10 a.m. Yoon, who made a direct opening statement, argued, "During the initial insurrection accusations, frightened individuals made statements under the guidance of investigative authorities, which were reflected in the indictment without verification," and insisted, "A few hours of emergency martial law is not an insurrection."

Regarding the prosecution’s mention of appointing former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun as part of the 'martial law preparation process,' he stated, "Martial law is something that must always be prepared for." He added, "The very idea that this plan was drawn up since last spring is truly a comedic matter."

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He then compared his case to the insurrection cases of former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, repeating the same arguments he made during his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. He suggested it was merely a 'martial law for appeal.' Yoon said, "I have analyzed the indictments and rulings of the December 12 and May 18 insurrection cases while handling various cases in the past," and added, "In the past, martial law was declared after mobilizing and taking control of the military, but this time it was different."

He further stated, "I instructed that live ammunition should never be supplied to soldiers and that they should be deployed without being armed, avoiding civilians," adding, "It was a peaceful martial law message to the public."