Appellate Ruling for Former President Yoon's Perjury Trial Expected This Week; Trial Over Martial Law Justification Messages Also Begins

The appellate court's decision is set to be delivered this week for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was acquitted in the first trial on charges of perjury during the 내란 (insurrection) trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Yoon Sung-sik) will hold the second-instance sentencing hearing for former President Yoon's perjury charges at 10:30 a.m. on the 16th.

Former President Yoon is accused of perjury during former Prime Minister Han's trial in November of last year, when in response to the bench's question, "Did you think from the beginning that you needed to call the necessary personnel for a cabinet meeting?" he answered, "Yes. Since we were notifying the entire world while declaring martial law, I also naturally knew that a cabinet meeting was necessary."

The special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok regarding the insurrection views this statement as false, pointing out that former President Yoon initially summoned only six cabinet members and additionally called in more only after receiving a suggestion from former Prime Minister Han to meet the quorum.

However, the first instance court ruled the perjury charges not guilty, judging that former President Yoon appeared to have planned to additionally summon cabinet members regardless of former Prime Minister Han's suggestion.

During the appellate sentencing hearing held on the 19th of last month, the special counsel team demanded a fine of 10 million won for former President Yoon.

The trial for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on allegations of sending messages justifying the December 3 emergency martial law, indicted by the 2nd General Special Counsel Team led by Kwon Chang-young, is also set to begin on the same day.

Criminal Settlement Division 38-1 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Chang Sung-jin, Jung Soo-young, and Choi Young-gak) will hold the first preparatory hearing for former President Yoon's trial on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of exercise of rights at 2:00 p.m. that day.

Former President Yoon is accused of ordering the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver messages implying that the emergency martial law was justified to major friendly nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union (EU) right after the declaration of emergency martial law.

The messages reportedly included content such as, "This measure is for the protection of liberal democracy," and "President Yoon Suk Yeol maintains a stance to oppose pro-North Korean leftists and anti-Americanism."

Former National Security Office Chief Shin Won-sik, who is accused of promoting the legitimacy of martial law to major friendly nations under former President Yoon's orders, will also stand trial together.

Former Chief Shin was indicted without detention on charges of delivering former President Yoon's message while requesting the National Intelligence Service to "explain the background of the emergency martial law to friendly nations" along with Kim Tae-hyo, former 1st Deputy Director of the National Security Office, the day after martial law was declared.

On the 16th, the sentencing hearing will be held for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, who was sent to trial on charges of receiving 100 million won in nomination kickbacks.

Lawmaker Kang was detained and indicted in March of this year on charges of receiving 100 million won from former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung in exchange for a nomination ahead of the local elections in January 2022.

At the time, Lawmaker Kang belonged to the Democratic Party, and former Council Member Kim was nominated as the single Democratic Party candidate for the Seoul Metropolitan Council in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, which is Lawmaker Kang's constituency, and was elected.

Nam, a former aide to Lawmaker Kang who arranged the meeting between the two, is also standing trial together.

While former Council Member Kim and Nam admitted to the charges of offering a bribe in court, Lawmaker Kang has completely denied the allegations.

The first trial for former Correctional Headquarters Chief Shin Yong-hae, who is accused of attempting to secure detention spaces within Ministry of Justice correctional facilities during the emergency martial law, will be held on the 17th.

Former Chief Shin is accused of ordering correctional institutions nationwide to prepare for the confinement of violators of the decree, following instructions from former Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae during martial law.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.