Prosecution: "Disruption of Constitutional Order" vs. Yoon's Side: "Complete Denial of Charges"
Yoon: "Peaceful Martial Law, Not a Rebellion... Must Always Be Prepared"
Former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was indicted on charges of leading a rebellion related to the December 3 emergency martial law incident, claimed during the formal criminal trial that "I have worked as a prosecutor for 26 years, but I do not understand the logic of the charge of rebellion." On that day, President Yoon spoke directly for a total of 1 hour and 22 minutes, fully denying the allegations.
Former President Yoon Suk-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 of former President Yoon's rebellion case at 10 a.m.
The prosecution prepared a presentation (PPT) and presented for about an hour why the charge of rebellion applies due to the December 3 emergency martial law incident last year. The prosecution pointed out the situation during the emergency martial law by referring to former President Yoon's awareness of the state affairs, the prior plotting and preparation of martial law.
The prosecution argued, "They planned to incite a riot with the purpose of disrupting the national order," and "The defendant declared martial law across the entire Republic of Korea with the aim of making it impossible for constitutional institutions such as the National Assembly and the National Election Commission to exercise their powers, and to nullify the functions of the constitution and laws such as the warrant system and the party system."
In response, Yoon's lawyer Yoon Gap-geun rebutted, "We deny all the charges," and "The declaration of martial law was made according to the constitution and is not illegal." Former President Yoon, who made a direct opening statement, also rebutted each point while displaying the prosecution's PPT.
Former President Yoon claimed, "During the initial process of labeling this as rebellion, people who were frightened made statements under the guidance of investigative agencies, which were reflected in the indictment without verification," and "A non-violent incident lasting a few hours was constructed as a rebellion." 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 must always be prepared." He added, "The very idea that this plan was drawn up since last spring is truly a comedic matter."
He also compared his case to the rebellion 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.' Former President Yoon said, "I have analyzed the indictments and rulings of the December 12 and May 18 rebellion cases while handling various cases in the past," and "In the past, martial law was declared after mobilizing and taking control of the military, but this time it was different." He added, "I instructed that live ammunition should never be supplied to soldiers, that they should be deployed without being armed, and that civilians should be avoided," calling it "a peaceful martial law message to the public."
Former President Yoon, who spoke for 42 minutes in the morning session, also spoke for 37 minutes during the afternoon trial. He argued that blocking and sealing off the National Assembly was "nonsense." He said, "Everyone who could enter the National Assembly did enter, and it was clearly possible, but the Democratic Party leader took photos of climbing over the fence as a show, and all of that was recorded."
As his speech lengthened, the court requested him to "hurry up," but Yoon's side responded, "The opening statement is the only right given to the defendant, so please allow more time." Yoon's side also argued for dismissal of the indictment, claiming "the prosecution's illegal detention issue violates the law."
Even after the opening statement ended, former President Yoon asked, "May I say a few more words?" and continued with an additional 3 minutes of remarks. He said, "There are excellent prosecutors here, but I also worked as a prosecutor for 26 years and served diligently in public office," and "I have arrested and indicted many people, but I cannot understand by what logic this becomes a charge of rebellion."
On the morning of April 14, the entrance to the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the first formal criminal trial of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, charged with leading an insurrection, is being held, is being controlled. 2025.4.14 Photo by Joint Press Corps
In the following trial, the prosecution is currently conducting witness examinations of Cho Seong-hyun, commander of the 1st Security Group of the Army Capital Defense Command, and Kim Hyung-gi, commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the Special Warfare Command. Previously, Commander Cho testified at former President Yoon's Constitutional Court impeachment trial that he received orders from former Capital Defense Command Commander Lee Jin-woo to "enter inside the (National Assembly) and pull out the members." Commander Kim also stated that he received the same order from Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Special Warfare Command.
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