Appellate Ruling for Former President Yoon's Perjury Trial Expected This Week, Along with First Hearing on Martial Law Justification Messages

The appellate court is set to deliver its ruling this week on former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was acquitted in the first trial on charges of perjury during the insurrection trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

The 1st Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Yoon Sung-sik) will hold the second-instance sentencing hearing for former President Yoon 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 asked by the court, "Did you think from the beginning that you needed to call the necessary personnel for a cabinet meeting?" he responded, "Yes. Because the declaration of martial law is announced to the entire world, I also naturally knew that a cabinet meeting was necessary."

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

However, the first-instance court acquitted him of the perjury charges, determining 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 August 19, the special prosecutor team demanded a fine of 10 million won for former President Yoon.

The trial regarding former President Yoon's suspected "messages justifying the December 3 emergency martial law," indicted by the 2nd General Special Prosecutor Team led by Kwon Chang-young, will also begin on the same day.

The 38-1 Criminal Settlement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Chang Sung-jin, Jung Soo-young, Choi Young-gak) will hold the first preparatory hearing for former President Yoon's 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 to major allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union (EU), immediately after declaring emergency martial law, to the effect that the emergency martial law was justified.

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 counter pro-North Korea leftists and anti-Americanism."

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

Former Director Shin has been indicted without detention on charges of delivering former President Yoon's message by requesting the National Intelligence Service to "explain the background of the emergency martial law to allied nations," alongside former 1st Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, the day after the martial law declaration.

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 contributions.

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

At the time, Lawmaker Kang belonged to the Democratic Party, and former Council Member Kim was nominated as a single candidate for the Democratic Party in Seoul's Gangseo District—Lawmaker Kang's constituency—and was elected.

Lawmaker Kang's former aide, surnamed Nam, who arranged the meeting between the two, is also standing trial.

While former Council Member Kim and Mr. Nam admitted to the charges of providing the funds 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 space within Ministry of Justice correctional facilities during the emergency martial law, will be held on the 17th.

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