The Seoul High Court has decided to establish two dedicated panels to handle the second trial of the insurrection case involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol and others. These panels are set to begin operations on February 23.
The Seoul High Court reached this decision during a full judges' meeting (presided over by Chief Judge Kim Dae-woong) held that afternoon. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, was conducted behind closed doors. With the regular judicial personnel appointments scheduled for January 30, judges will be assigned to the dedicated panels so that they can begin operating from the 23rd.
To prepare for the possibility that the relevant cases may be filed with the Seoul High Court before the regular judicial appointments, Criminal Division 20, presided over by Senior Presiding Judge Hong Donggi (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 22nd class), will serve as the management panel. The management panel will handle the management of case records and ancillary decisions, as well as other pretrial work, from the time an appeal is filed until the case is assigned to the dedicated panel.
Initially, two dedicated panels will be operated, with the possibility of adding more if needed in the future. In accordance with relevant laws, each panel will be composed of three mid-level judges with equal authority, forming a collegial panel that deliberates and decides cases collectively. During the meeting, there was reportedly a suggestion to include a mixed collegial panel consisting of one senior high court judge and two high court judges. Further discussion on this proposal will continue at the next full judges' meeting. The Seoul High Court plans to hold the second such meeting on January 29.
Meanwhile, the first-instance verdict for former President Yoon's alleged role as the leader of the insurrection is expected to be delivered sometime next month. Prior to that, verdicts on related cases such as obstruction of arrest are scheduled for January 16, and these are likely to be assigned to the dedicated panels before the main case.
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