Yoon Appears at 'Insurrection Ringleader' Trial for Second Time in a Row
"Drank a Lot That Day," Yoon Says
Kwak Jonggeun Delivers Candid Testimony: "Told Me to Bring Them Before You..."
Former President Yoon Sukyeol appeared once again on November 3 at his trial as the alleged ringleader of an insurrection. During the proceedings, former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command, Kwak Jonggeun, testified as a witness, claiming that Yoon pointed to former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon and others, saying, "Bring them here. I will shoot and kill them if necessary." Former President Yoon's legal team immediately refuted the claim, stating, "This is absolutely untrue."
Former President Yoon Seokyoul is attending a trial on charges of obstructing special official duties at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul on the 26th. The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) held a continued hearing that day on charges against former President Yoon for leading an insurrection and abuse of power. Former President Yoon, who had appeared in court on October 30 for the first time in four months, was present again for this session.
On this day, former Commander Kwak stated that after the Armed Forces Day ceremony on October 1 last year, he attended a dinner at the presidential residence with former President Yoon, during which Yoon mentioned the term "emergency powers" in relation to the political situation at the time.
In response, former President Yoon said, "Wasn't that day the soldiers' birthday? That's why I invited many people, but since some couldn't make it, I asked them to come to the dining area in the residential quarters instead of the banquet hall. It was not a situation to discuss political affairs there," and added, "You arrived after 8 p.m., and as soon as you sat down, we started passing around somaek and bomb shots. We drank a lot. As I recall, a lot of glasses were going around."
Former Commander Kwak replied, "Since you put it that way, I'll share what I haven't been able to say until now. I hadn't mentioned this before... but you named Han Donghoon and some politicians, telling me to bring them before you. You said you would shoot and kill them if necessary."
He continued, "Until now, even during prosecution investigations, I never mentioned this and only talked about Han Donghoon. If former President Yoon hadn't said those words, I wouldn't have brought this up." Former President Yoon responded with an awkward laugh.
Jonggeun Kwak, former Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command, appeared as a witness at the 6th hearing of the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on February 6, 2025, responding to questions from the respondent President Yoon's legal representatives. Photo by Constitutional Court
After Kwak's testimony, former President Yoon's defense team immediately issued a statement, strongly denying the allegations. The legal team asserted, "Former President Yoon never made such remarks. On the contrary, he clearly said, 'Why would I order Han Donghoon to be arrested or brought in? That doesn't make sense.' This is the first time any of us, including the defense team, have heard such a claim."
They further stated, "Given that Commander Kwak's statements have lacked consistency and changed frequently over time, there is serious doubt as to the truth of these claims." The statement continued, "Even today, he first said he had 'heard something related to Han Donghoon' and then immediately changed his account, making it unclear whether he actually heard it himself."
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