"It Was Not an Order to Disrupt Constitutional Order to the Head of the National Fire Agency...
It Was a Warning to Be Mindful of Safety"
Three Witnesses, Including Lee's Chauffeur Secretary, to Testify on the 24th
Former Minister of the Interior and Safety Sangmin Lee is attending the first trial date on charges including engaging in important tasks related to insurrection at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, who has been put on trial for allegedly conspiring with former President Yoon Sukyeol to declare the December 3 Martial Law and for ordering the suspension of electricity and water supplies to media outlets, denied all charges during his first trial.
The 32nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ryu Kyungjin) held the first trial session at 10 a.m. on the 17th for Lee, who is facing charges of engaging in important tasks related to insurrection, abuse of authority, and perjury.
During the trial, the special prosecutor's team stated, "Contrary to the defendant's claim that he opposed the December 3 Martial Law and did not carry out any tasks, he engaged in important tasks related to insurrection by ordering the suspension of electricity and water supplies to specific media outlets according to the blockade plan for each time period. He also abused his authority as Minister of the Interior and Safety by instructing National Fire Agency employees to prepare for the suspension of electricity and water, thereby making them perform duties outside their obligations."
The team further asserted, "To conceal this, he gave false testimony during the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of former President Yoon. As a result, the acts of insurrection under the December 3 Martial Law destroyed constitutional order and the rule of law, infringed upon citizens' fundamental rights, and left the truth unclarified before the public for a considerable period."
In response, Lee's legal counsel denied all the charges brought by the special prosecutor. The attorney explained, "After hearing about the President's plan to declare martial law, Lee expressed clear opposition, citing political burdens and the impossibility of gaining public approval. He did not conspire in advance regarding martial law."
The attorney added, "For the defendant, the declaration of martial law was already an objective reality that could not be reversed until it was lifted. As Minister of the Interior and Safety, it was only natural for him to perform the necessary duties under martial law."
Regarding the phone call with then-National Fire Agency Commissioner Heo Seokgon about the suspension of electricity and water, the attorney stated, "He saw documents related to the National Fire Agency at the presidential office and, believing the matters described could soon occur, relayed the relevant information."
The attorney continued, "The content of the call was not an order to suspend electricity and water for the purpose of undermining the constitutional order. Rather, it was to advise caution regarding safety in case any related incidents occurred, regardless of who issued instructions, and to consult with the police if necessary during the process."
The special prosecutor's team announced plans to question witnesses from the National Fire Agency, the National Police Agency, and the Cabinet in sequence, followed by testimony from Lee's aides and secretaries who could account for his whereabouts on the night martial law was declared.
Additionally, the team requested that before questioning Cabinet members, the court first examine CCTV footage showing the presidential office on the day martial law was declared.
In response, the defense stated, "We hope to question witnesses according to the timeline recorded in the indictment," and requested to review the original CCTV footage in advance if it is to be released.
The court said, "It seems appropriate to first confirm Lee's activities on the day martial law was declared and then, based on that, verify the instructions given to the National Fire Agency Commissioner and others." The court added that the second trial session would be held on the 24th, with three witnesses including Lee's driver-secretary to be summoned.
Lee has been indicted and detained on charges of failing to fulfill his duty, as the minister responsible for martial law during peacetime, to prevent the President from arbitrarily declaring martial law. He also faces charges of relaying Yoon's orders to suspend electricity and water supplies to media outlets to both the National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency. In February, during the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of former President Yoon, he is also accused of perjury for falsely testifying that he neither gave nor received such orders from the President.
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