"Break Down the Door With an Axe" "Drag Out the Lawmakers"... Command Calls of Martial Law Forces Played at Yoon Sukyeol's Trial

Yoon Remains Silent at Last Trial Before Presidential Election
Lee Sanghyun: "Withdrew Troops After Realizing the Situation Was Abnormal"
Yoon's Legal Team Objects to Playing Recordings: "Unnecessary at Such a Sensitive Time"

At the fifth trial session for former President Yoon Sukyeol's case on charges of leading a rebellion, former Brigadier General Lee Sanghyun, who previously served as commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Army Special Warfare Command, appeared as a witness and testified that, "During the emergency martial law, I heard instructions that 'the President said to break down the door with an axe if necessary and go in.'" Additionally, a recorded phone call containing orders to "climb over the wall, enter the main building of the National Assembly, and drag out the lawmakers" was played in court.

On May 26, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) held the fifth trial session for former President Yoon on charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of power obstructing the exercise of rights, starting at 10:15 a.m. During this session, the prosecution conducted a witness examination of Brigadier General Lee.

Brigadier General Lee was the individual who deployed special forces to the National Assembly during the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law. On the day martial law was declared, he ordered 269 troops to be dispatched to the National Assembly, loaded live ammunition into the command vehicle, and led the operation on site. For these actions, including participation in an important mission related to rebellion and abuse of authority, he was indicted without detention at the Central Regional Military Court in February.

Former President Yoon Seokyeol is attending the 5th trial session for charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of power obstructing the exercise of rights at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 26, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

In court, Brigadier General Lee testified, "I received orders from former Commander Kwak to drag out the lawmakers." The prosecution played a recorded file in which Brigadier General Lee relayed the order to his subordinate, the 2nd Battalion Commander, instructing him to "climb over the wall and drag out the lawmakers."

Brigadier General Lee stated that immediately after the declaration of martial law, he received orders from former Commander Kwak to send two battalions to the National Assembly and to remove all personnel from the building. At the time, Brigadier General Lee felt that the situation was not ordinary. He said, "If this were a provocation or a terrorist situation, live ammunition would be distributed to each individual, but being told to have the commander carry all the ammunition was not standard procedure." He continued, "If that is the case, it would be more like a riot situation. If it were something like the Capitol riot during President Donald Trump's term in the United States, I thought it could be subdued without ammunition."

Brigadier General Lee explained that he initially understood the order as referring to civilians, but realized about ten minutes later that the actual targets were lawmakers. When asked by the prosecution whether he thought these orders were illegal or unjust, he replied, "I also thought it was strange, and I think I carried out the operation while feeling that way."

As he followed the orders, Brigadier General Lee said he recognized the abnormality of the situation when he saw citizens on the street shouting, "We must defend democracy." He testified, "The commander said, 'The President ordered us to break down the door and drag out the lawmakers,' and asked, 'Can't we at least cut the power?'" He continued, "He also said, 'The President said to break down the door with an axe if necessary and go in.'"

He added, "In a typical military operation, the President does not give such orders. Seeing the actions of the citizens on the street made me question whether we were doing something wrong, and it brought me to my senses. After that, I decided to withdraw the troops."

Also, in court that day, a recording was played in which Brigadier General Lee instructed the battalion commanders who were to be dispatched to the National Assembly, "We will conduct an overnight operation today. Do not carry handguns. Carry only non-lethal equipment such as electronic guns, tasers, restraints, ropes, and cable ties."

Former President Yoon's legal team repeatedly objected to the playing of the recordings, stating, "We do not understand the intention behind playing the recordings at such a sensitive time." Yoon's attorney argued, "The recordings remain an issue of illegally obtained evidence, and listening to all of them will take a long time and be inefficient. Playing the recordings in open court, where journalists are present, is problematic."

In response, the prosecution countered, "The recordings are being played as part of the evidence review process, so what is the problem?" As the dispute between the prosecution and Yoon's legal team continued, the court intervened, saying, "Since this is admitted evidence, it cannot be prevented from being played. It seems the issue is that the media is listening, but we must proceed according to principle."

Meanwhile, despite this being the last trial session before the presidential election on June 3, former President Yoon remained silent throughout. He did not respond to questions from the press such as, "Do you have anything to say to the public ahead of the election?", "Do you still have no intention of apologizing for the illegal martial law?", or "Why did you watch the film about election fraud?" Even after the morning and afternoon sessions and after the trial ended, Yoon did not answer, only looking at his supporters and smiling.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is heading to his vehicle after the fifth morning hearing on charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of authority obstructing the exercise of rights at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. 2025.5.26 Photo by Joint Press Corps

During the approximately six-hour trial, former President Yoon remained seated with his eyes closed. At times, he showed a faint smile while Brigadier General Lee's recordings were played. He was also seen nodding off at times, with his head bowed deeply.

The sixth trial session for former President Yoon is scheduled for June 9, after the presidential election.