▲ Former President Yoon Suk Yeol
The independent counsel team has announced plans to amend the indictment and submit additional evidence in the second-trial appeal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was acquitted in the first trial over allegations related to his so-called "escape to Australia."
The special counsel team led by independent counsel Lee Myung-hyun made the announcement during the first preparatory hearing held on the 19th by the 10th Criminal Division (Senior High Court Judges Lee Sang-ho, Lee Jae-shin, and Lee Hye-ran) of the Seoul High Court for former President Yoon and others charged with aiding a criminal's escape, abuse of power, and violation of the State Public Officials Act.
The special counsel team stated, "Since there are additional parts we need to prove regarding the reasoning of the lower court's ruling, we plan to submit documentary evidence," and requested the court, "As we also intend to amend the indictment, please schedule one more preparatory hearing so that we can submit additional evidence related to this."
In response, former President Yoon's defense counsel argued, "It seems unnecessary to conduct additional investigations beyond the witnesses questioned in the first trial."
The defense counsel for former Chief of Staff Cho also stated, "The special counsel appears to be trying to apply for evidence mostly related to the 'investigation pressure' case, but this case is separate from the investigation pressure case," adding, "If the court deems additional evidence investigation necessary, we ask that you instead render a judgment on this case after seeing the conclusion of the investigation pressure trial."
The legal representatives of the remaining defendants similarly argued that the special counsel team's request for additional evidence and indictment amendment should be disallowed.
The court instructed the special counsel team, "Please clarify whether the part you intend to change in the indictment constitutes the facts of the crime or background facts, and if it is background facts, review whether the amendment is strictly necessary."
The court also asked for a clear explanation of how the additional evidence the special counsel intends to submit is relevant to the case.
To discuss the trial schedule, the court decided to hold another preparatory hearing on the 16th of next month.
The suspicion surrounding the escape to Australia involves former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup departing the country after being appointed as the ambassador to Australia in March 2024, while undergoing Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) investigations as a key suspect in the case regarding external pressure on the investigation into the death of Corporal Chae.
Former President Yoon was indicted on charges of ordering the appointment of former Minister Lee in November 2023—four months after Corporal Chae's death—to help him escape.
The special counsel team concluded that former President Yoon attempted to obstruct the investigation by sending him overseas after suspicions such as the "VIP rage" allegations intensified in August of that year, and after former Minister Lee, who had spoken directly with Yoon regarding the case, was reported to the CIO.
However, the first trial acquitted Yoon, stating that it could not be concluded that he had the intent to obstruct the investigation.
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