Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Acquitted in Appeal over Perjury Allegation on Martial Law Cabinet Meeting: "Cannot Conclude False Testimony"

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted on charges of committing perjury in the insurrection trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, has been acquitted in the appellate trial as well.

Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court today (September 16) found former President Yoon not guilty of perjury, upholding the verdict of the first trial.

Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok's team investigating the insurrection case had sought a fine of 10 million won.

The court determined that Yoon's remarks—when appearing as a witness in former Prime Minister Han's trial in November last year to the effect that he had planned to convene a Cabinet meeting even before Han suggested it on the day emergency martial law was declared—cannot be concluded to be a false statement contrary to his memory.

At the time, Yoon answered the court's inquiry regarding whether he had intended from the outset to summon the necessary personnel for a Cabinet meeting, saying, "Yes. Because I was declaring martial law to the entire world, I naturally knew that a Cabinet meeting was required as well."

The special prosecutor team viewed that Yoon had initially summoned only six Cabinet members without intending to hold a Cabinet meeting, and subsequently called in six more, including former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, to meet the quorum after listening to Han's suggestion.

Accordingly, the team regarded his claim that he had planned to summon those necessary for the Cabinet meeting even before Han's suggestion as perjury.

However, the appellate court today handed down a not guilty verdict, ruling that Yoon appeared to have planned to summon additional Cabinet members regardless of Han's recommendation.

The court pointed out that, in light of Defendant's status and career, it is difficult to believe he was unaware that deliberation by the Cabinet meeting was required to declare emergency martial law, and that he was instead likely attempting to fulfill the minimum requirements for the martial law declaration.

The court also cited as grounds for its ruling that documents to be handed to former Deputy Prime Minister Choi had already been prepared before his arrival.

Earlier, the court of first instance also acquitted him on the same grounds in May.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.