Announcement of Courthouse Security Plan Ahead of Second Trial
"Subject to Change in the Future"
Ahead of the second trial on insurrection charges against former President Yoon Suk-yeol, the court has decided to allow Yoon's side to enter the courthouse via the underground parking lot if they so wish. This decision follows the same arrangement made for the first trial and will also apply to the upcoming session on April 21.
On April 18, the Seoul High Court announced, "The Presidential Security Service has requested that, if the defendant uses a vehicle, access to the underground parking lot of the Seoul Court Complex be granted." The court added, "If the defendant requests to enter and exit through the underground parking lot using a vehicle, this will be permitted." Previously, the court had also accepted a similar request from the Presidential Security Service ahead of the first trial.
The court stated, "This decision was made by the Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, who oversees courthouse management, after gathering and considering proposals discussed at a meeting of the chief judges, directors of administration, and security managers from the three courts located in the courthouse. The decision took into account the requests of the Presidential Security Service, the need for enhanced security in light of recent incidents at the Western District Court, and the current status of the court's own security personnel."
Within legal circles and beyond, some have pointed out that there is no precedent for a defendant appearing in court without public access, raising concerns of 'special treatment.' A court official stated, "This decision is limited to the trial scheduled for April 21 and may change in the future," adding, "However, given the current status of protest notifications near the court and the high level of public interest, maintaining access through the underground parking lot has been deemed necessary for courthouse security."
Former President Yoon was indicted on charges of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to declare an unconstitutional and unlawful 12·3 Martial Law on December 3 of last year.
The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyon) will hold the second trial for former President Yoon, who has been charged as the ringleader of the insurrection, on April 21. During the first trial held on April 14, Yoon spoke for a total of 93 minutes, including his opening statement, and actively denied the charges.
At the upcoming April 21 trial, former President Yoon will be seen seated in the defendant's dock. On April 17, the court granted permission for photos and video recordings of Yoon inside the courtroom. The panel explained, "After soliciting opinions from the defendant and others, and comprehensively considering the level of public interest, the public's right to know, and the legal interests of the defendant and related parties, we have decided to allow courtroom photography." In the first trial, media photography inside the courtroom was not permitted, so images of Yoon during the proceedings were not made public.
During the second trial, Yoon's legal team is expected to cross-examine prosecution witnesses Cho Sunghyun, Commander of the 1st Guard Battalion of the Capital Defense Command, and Kim Hyungki, Commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the Special Warfare Command.
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