Criminal Division 25 to Hold Closing Arguments Next Month
First Verdict Scheduled for the Same Day
The court has consolidated the trials of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Jiho, and other former military and police officials from the previous administration who were indicted on charges of insurrection in connection with the 12·3 Martial Law.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the trial on charges of obstruction of official duties held 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 Guyon) announced on the 30th that it would combine the ongoing trial of former President Yoon, who is charged as the ringleader of the insurrection, with the cases involving senior military and police officials accused of participating in key insurrection-related duties.
Previously, the court had been handling the main 12·3 Martial Law insurrection cases separately as follows: the case against former President Yoon as the ringleader; the case against former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Jiho, former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Bongsik, former National Investigation Headquarters Planning and Coordination Officer Yoon Seungyoung, and former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency National Assembly Security Chief Mok Hyuntae for participating in key insurrection-related duties; and the case against former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, former Defense Security Command Chief Noh Sangwon, and former Defense Ministry Investigation Headquarters Chief Kim Yonggun, among other former military officials, for participating in key insurrection-related duties.
However, since the facts are identical and there are common legal issues regarding the elements of the insurrection charge, the court decided to merge the trials into a single proceeding.
The court stated, "We will notify the absent defendants of the consolidation in an appropriate manner." Of the eight defendants, six-including former President Yoon, former Minister Kim, former Commander Noh, former Commissioner Kim, former Coordination Officer Yoon, and former Security Chief Mok-were present in court on this day.
After conducting witness examination for former Minister Kim during this session, the court plans to complete the review of documentary evidence next week and proceed to the closing arguments, concluding the trial.
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