North Korea 'Pyongyang Drone' Appeal Begins... First Trial Preparation Date for Kim Keon-hee's 'Office-Selling' Appeal

The appeal trial for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted over the "alleged deployment of drones to Pyongyang" to create a pretext for declaring the December 3 emergency martial law, begins today (July 29).

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Yoon Sung-sik), designated for internal rebellion cases, will hold the first public trial for former President Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, former Defense Security Command Chief Yeo In-hyung, and former Drone Operations Command Chief Kim Yong-dae today.

During the first trial, only the defendant identification and discussion of trial procedures will be open to the public, while the statements on the grounds for appeal by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok's team and the defendants will be held behind closed doors.

Previously, all trial proceedings in the first instance were also held privately due to concerns over the exposure of military secrets.

Former President Yoon and the others are accused of general treason (aiding the enemy) for allegedly ordering the Drone Operations Command to deploy a drone to Pyongyang around October 2024 to create conditions for declaring martial law.

They are also charged with abuse of authority for allegedly forcing military personnel to perform duties they were not obligated to do during the process of ordering the operation.

The first instance court sentenced former President Yoon, who gave the final approval for the operation, and former Minister Kim, who led the planning and ordering of it, to 30 years in prison each.

Former Commander Yeo, who was briefed on the operation and advised on the timing of the martial law, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while former Commander Kim, who actually commanded the operation, received a 3-year prison sentence suspended for 5 years.

The first appeal trial for former First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who was sentenced to 7 years in prison in the first trial over charges of so-called "office-selling," will also be held at the same court.

Criminal Division 15-3 of the Seoul High Court (High Court Judges Sung Eon-joo, Won Ik-sun, and Lee Hee-jun) will hold the first trial preparation hearing for Kim's appeal regarding charges of mediation influence under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes.

Kim is accused of receiving jewelry worth a total of 103.8 million won, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and earrings, from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan under the pretext of lobbying to secure a public office appointment for his eldest son-in-law, and a gold turtle worth 2.65 million won from former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong under the pretext of lobbying for her appointment as chairperson.

She was also charged with receiving a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch worth 39.9 million won from robot dog businessman Seo under the pretext of business support lobbying, and a Dior bag worth 5.4 million won from Pastor Choi Jae-young in connection with official duties.

In the first instance, Chairman Lee, who was indicted for handing over valuables to Kim, was sentenced to 1 year in prison suspended for 2 years, businessman Seo received 10 months in prison suspended for 2 years, and Pastor Choi was fined 8 million won.

The first-instance rulings for these individuals were finalized without moving to the appellate court as neither the special counsel team led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki nor the defendants appealed.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.