Yoon Faces Special Prosecutor for Rebellion for the First Time... Smiles at Supporters in Silence

Special Prosecutor Team Led by Cho Eunseok Attends for the First Time to Maintain Prosecution
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Eoksoo Appears in Person

On June 23, the special prosecutor team for rebellion led by Cho Eunseok appeared in court for the trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol on charges of rebellion, directly facing Yoon for the first time. Former President Yoon, once again, did not make any public statement, simply gazed at his supporters before entering the courtroom.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the 8th trial session for 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 June 23, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok began maintaining the indictment from the 8th trial session for charges including leading a rebellion against former President Yoon, which was held that morning under the Criminal Agreement Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Guyon) at the Seoul Central District Court. In accordance with the special prosecutor law, the special prosecutor officially took over the ongoing rebellion case against former President Yoon from the prosecution on June 19, and has now begun to maintain the prosecution in earnest. On this day, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Eoksoo personally appeared in court and sat in the front row of the prosecutors’ bench.

At around 10 a.m., former President Yoon arrived by car at the west wing of the Seoul Central District Court, wearing a red tie and a dark navy suit. He did not respond to reporters’ questions, such as “This is the first trial since the special prosecutor for rebellion took over the case; do you have any statement?”, “You have refused to appear before the police, but do you intend to comply with the special prosecutor’s summons?”, or “Do you have any comment regarding the foreign exchange charges?” Yoon also remained silent in response to questions about Kim Keonhee’s refusal to comply with the prosecution’s summons. He simply smiled at his supporters before entering the courtroom, and after taking his seat in the defendant’s dock, he kept his eyes closed throughout the session.

During the trial, the examination of Lee Jaesik, former Director of Operational Readiness Inspection at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will continue from the previous session. Testimony from Colonel Kwon Younghwan of the Army, who served as the Martial Law Officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the emergency martial law, is also scheduled to follow.