Seoul Central District Court to Discuss 'Special Insurrection Panels'... General Judges' Meeting Set for the 12th

Meeting Moved Up by One Week
"Need to Promptly Appoint Warrant Judges"

Following the official implementation on January 6 of the law establishing special courts for insurrection cases, which was passed by the National Assembly under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, the Seoul Central District Court has begun taking follow-up measures.

On July 9, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the detention warrant substantive hearing to decide the detention of former President Yoon Suk-yeol is held, is seen heavily guarded with police vehicles and barricades. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On January 8, the Seoul Central District Court announced, "At the general judges' meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 12, we will discuss the criteria for forming the special courts in accordance with the 'Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Crimes of Insurrection, Treason, and Rebellion,' including the number of dedicated panels, requirements for warrant judges, and the qualifications for judges assigned to these special courts."

The regular judges' meeting at the Seoul Central District Court was originally scheduled for January 19, but it was moved up by about a week. The court explained, "We decided to hold the meeting a week earlier because it is necessary to promptly appoint warrant judges in preparation for the possible filing of warrant review cases under the special act."

The meeting will also include deliberations on the originally planned agenda item: the basic principles for the 2026 judicial work allocation. Depending on the progress of discussions, additional meetings may be held. A court official stated, "We will make thorough preparations, including the general judges' meeting, to ensure that cases subject to the special act are handled fairly and swiftly."

The special act stipulates that for cases of insurrection, treason, and rebellion that have significant political, economic, or social impact and attract high public interest, at least two dedicated panels must be established each at the Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul High Court.

In principle, these special panels are established from the first trial. However, a supplementary provision states that if a case is already underway at the time the law takes effect, the existing panel will continue to preside over the trial.

The Seoul High Court also plans to hold a general judges' meeting on January 15 to discuss the criteria for forming its special panels. On the previous day, the Seoul High Court announced, "We will hold a general judges' meeting on January 15 to deliberate on the criteria for forming the special panels and the basic principles for the 2026 judicial work allocation." Cases such as the insurrection ringleader charges against former President Yoon, which are awaiting a first-instance verdict, will be subject to the special panel system starting from the appeals stage.