2:15 p.m. Substantive Review Hearing
Detention Decision Could Come as Early as Tonight
Special Prosecutor Emphasizes 'Destruction of Evidence and Obstruction of Investigation'
Yoon Rebuts All Contents of the Warrant
Former President Yoon Seokyoul is appearing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the Special Prosecutor Jo Eunseok's team office is located, on the 5th to undergo the second investigation by the Special Prosecutor for the Insurrection Case. Photo by Yonhap News
The court's substantive review hearing to determine whether an arrest warrant will be issued for former President Yoon Seokyoul in connection with the 12·3 Martial Law Incident will begin in the afternoon of July 9. The result of the hearing is expected to be announced late at night or in the early morning of July 10. Depending on the outcome, it is likely that the fortunes of Special Prosecutor Jo Eunseok's team and former President Yoon will diverge.
On July 9 at 2:15 p.m., Judge Nam Sejin, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, will conduct the substantive review hearing for former President Yoon, who is facing charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. Given the seriousness of the case, the hearing is expected to last for an extended period.
The decision on whether to issue an arrest warrant for former President Yoon is expected to become a major turning point in the special prosecutor's investigation, with the potential to impact the investigations by the Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor and the Chae Sangbyeong Special Prosecutor. If the warrant is issued, the special prosecutor's team will be able to conclude the investigation into the insurrection-related case relatively quickly and secure a foothold to investigate other criminal charges, such as foreign exchange violations, which are more difficult to prove. On the other hand, former President Yoon would be placed in a disadvantageous position, as he would have to undergo trial related to the martial law incident and other matters while in detention, and also prepare for further investigations by the special prosecutor's team.
Conversely, if the court rejects the warrant, it is expected that the momentum of the special prosecutor's team will be diminished. Former President Yoon would be able to take a brief respite until the full-scale investigation into foreign exchange violations begins, and prepare for future investigations by the special prosecutor's team.
On the special prosecutor's team, Deputy Special Prosecutors Park Eoksu and Jang Woosung, who directly questioned former President Yoon, will participate in the hearing. Former President Yoon also plans to appear in court and directly state his position. Previously, in January, former President Yoon personally attended the substantive review hearing requested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and presented his opinion.
The special prosecutor's team maintains that an arrest investigation is inevitable, as former President Yoon has completely denied the charges, and there have been signs of evidence destruction and obstruction of the investigation. In the warrant application, the team noted that related individuals, such as former Presidential Secretary Kang Uigu, have begun to reverse their previous statements and make new ones, changing their attitudes in a manner consistent with former President Yoon's claims, which the team regards as attempts to destroy evidence.
In contrast, former President Yoon's side maintains that there was no attempt to induce or pressure witnesses to change their statements or otherwise obstruct the investigation. Yoon's legal team stated, "We plan to rebut the overall content of the warrant." It is reported that the special prosecutor's team meticulously reviewed the charges against former President Yoon and prepared for the hearing in a calm atmosphere until the morning of the hearing. Yoon's side also refrained from contacting the media and focused on preparing for the hearing.
Meanwhile, near the Seoul Central District Court, where the hearing is being held, three groups gathered to hold rallies opposing the arrest of former President Yoon. The number of participants reported to the police was approximately 4,200. On the other side, a rally calling for Yoon's re-arrest was also held.
To prepare for any unexpected incidents similar to the "Western District Court disturbance" that occurred immediately after the arrest warrant was issued for former President Yoon in January, the court closed all entrances to the Seoul Central District Court except for the main and east gates, and reinforced vehicle access control and security screening. The police also deployed about 2,000 officers and installed approximately 350 security fences and other barriers throughout the court. Police were also stationed near the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, where the special prosecutor's team office is located, and near Yoon's residence at Acro Vista.
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